

librae OF CONGRESS 

Shelf B5I 

— 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 









: 



FRONTISPIECE. 

IP"'- 




come, let us worship and bow down : let us kneel before the 
L 3rd our maker. — Psalm xcv. 6. 



/ 

HUEBNER'S 

Biblical Stories, 

FROM THE 

®M m& g*w Wt$tummt$, 

FOR. 

YOUTH AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 
REfflODRED & IMPROVED 

BY 

C. A. KOERNEK, 



TO WHICH ARE ADDED, EAST QUESTIONS, A SHOUT HTSTORT OF THE CHEISTIAH 

RELIGION, WITH FIFTY-ONE ILLUSTRATIONS, AND A 

HAP OF PALESTINE. 



TRANSLATED BY 

J. C. OEHLSCHL^GER. 

~ ...n.A.Q, 

PHILADELLPHIA: 

PUBLISHED BY I. KOHLEB, 

No. 911 Arch Street. 
1879. 



S7 



It 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by 
I. KOHLER, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court, in d for the Eastern 
District of Pennsylvania. 



PREFACE. 

More than a hundred years ago, the venerable Huebnei then 
Rector of St. John's College, Hamburg, wrote his Biblical 
Stories. They were universally received, and their immediate 
introduction into schools and family circles, greatly aided the 
work of moral education. The benevolent man found pleasure 
in the task he had undertaken, and on the completion of the work, 
he received the gratitude of a thankful public. Its evident 
popularity needs no other proof than the numerous editions 
which have appeared, and is no more than might have been 
expected from the great merit of the work. With a profound 
knowledge of the youthful mind, the worthy author composed 
these stories ; his selections were so well made, and the pious 
and affectionate language of the stories so won the hearts of his 
youthful readers, that it is not to be wondered at, that the book 
soon became a favorite with the young, and continued to be so. 

Narratives please even the teaderest age, and make a deep 
impression upon the mind ; for this reason children are so fond 
of historical works, and what book could furnish us with better 
materials than the Holy Bible? Here we become more inti- 
mately acquainted with the omnipotence, goodness, wisdom, 
omniscience, holiness and justice of God ; here we learn the 
doctrines, deeds, and infinite merits of our Divine Redeemer, 
and the precepts which lead us to salvation. Consequently, 
parents, who watched with care over the improvement of the 
hearts of their children, could not make them a better present, 
than by giving them Huebner's Biblical Stories. There were 
few Christian families where this excellent book was not to be 
found, and as a precious heirloom, it descended from father to 
eon, from son to grand-son. Many a man remembers the pleasant 
hours of youth, which h« has passed over Huebner's Stories. 
How many a man recollects still with pleasure, the evenings on 
which father and mother sat surrounded by their children, had 
Huebner's Stories read, asked the questions, and added their 
own useful admonitions ! Nor was it unfrequent for brother 
and sister to make one another a present of this book, and thus 
promote their religious sentiments. Certainly a pious custom, 
which deserves to be imitated in our days. 

(5) 



6 PREFACE. 

The publishers have frequently been called upon to re-produce 
Huebner's Stories in a form that would suit the present juvenile 
world. They have answered this call, and hereby present to the 
public a work which, they hope, will do much good. This series 
is selected from the best imitations of Huebner's Stories ; to 
each are added appropriate questions, the answers to which will 
contain the principal contents of the narrative to which they 
refer. The questions have intentionally been made short and 
easy, so that even small children, though they have read the 
story but once, can immediately answer them. This will meet 
the wishes of many parents and children, and give general utility 
to the book. Questions, to induce thinking, might have been 
added, and here and there this has been done, but to attain that 
object completely, would have required the printing of the 
answers separately, and would have increased the cost of the 
book considerably, which might have failed to place it within 
the reach of everybody. Besides this, teachers and intelligent 
parents will themselves add such questions, as will lead the 
children to reflection. The publishers have illustrated the book 
with handsome wood cuts, which will impress the stories them- 
selves more forcibly on the minds of children. 

May this work find many readers, and may the blessing ot 
God rest upon it. 



PREFACE. 

TO THE AMEEICAN EDITION. 

The Publisher begs leave to lay before an American Public, 
a Translation of the Imitation of Huebner's Biblical Stories. 
The original series was written upwards of a hundred years ago, 
and as the language changed, has constantly found new imita- 
tors, each succeeding edition meeting with the same welcome as 
its predecessors. The Stories are well selected ; the language 
is plain, comprehensible, and suited to the subject, the Pub- 
lisher, therefore, hopes that this American Edition will meet 
with, at least a portion of the success which has attended the 
publication of this work in Germany. 

The Publishers. 



CONTENTS 



f&lje <2Dtf> Testament. 

Paom 

1. Of the creation 13 

2. Of the creation of man 16 

3. The fall of our first parents 19 

4. Cain and his brother Abel 23 

5. The flood 27 

6. The Tower of Babel 32 

7. Abraham and Sarah 36 

8. Abraham's intercession for Sodom 42 

9. Sodom and Gomorrah 45 

10. Abraham is tempted to sacrifice Isaac 49 

11 . Death and burial of Sarah 54 

12. Isaac's marriage 56 

13. Abraham's old age and death 62 

14. Isaac's twin-sons, Esau and Jacob 64 

15. The vision of Jacob's ladder 68 

16. Jacob's double marriage 71 

17. Jacob wrestles with God. His reconciliation with Esau. 74 

18. Joseph is sold by his brethren 79 

19. Joseph is imprisoned, because he would not sin 83 

20. Joseph is delivered out of prison and raised to high 

honor 86 

21. Joseph's brothers visit Egypt during the famine 91 

22. Joseph makes himself known to his brothers 96 

23. Joseph goes to Egypt, where he dies 100 

24. Moses is born during the servitude of the Israelites in 

Egypt 104 

25. Moses and the obdurate Pharaoh 109 

26. Moses conducts the children of Israel out of Egypt. . . 114 

C7) 



8 C O N T E N TS. 

Pa<m 

27. God gives his Commandments on Sinai 118 

28. God leads the children of Israel into the Land of Pro- 

mise 123 

29. Samson, the strong man 128 

30. Ruth, from whom David descended 137 

31. Eli, the High-priest and Judge of Israel ; 115 

32. Samuel, the last Judge of Israel 146 

33. Saul becomes the first king over Israel, and David is 

anointed as his successor 150 

34. David and the giant Goliath 155 

35. David and Jonathan, the two friends 161 

36. David is persecuted by Saul 164 

37. Saul dies, and David becomes king 169 

38. David and Bathsheba 173 

39. Absalom 177 

40. Of King Solomon 182 

41. Elijah and the priests of Baal 189 

42. The vineyard of Naboth 193 

43. Elijah is taken up into heaven 198 

44. Esther is made queen 202 

45. Haman 207 

46. Job 213 

47. The three men in the fiery furnace 219 

48. Daniel in the Lion's den 223 

49. The Prophet Jonah 228 

50. The History of Tobit 233 

51. Tobias 240 

52. The return of the Je trs from Babylon, and theft subse- 

quent history 248 



CONTENTS 



Wqt 1&zm (testament. 

Paob 

1. John the Baptist is promised to his father 256 

2. The Birth of Christ is announced to Mary 258 

3. Mary's visit to her relative Elizabeth 261 

4. The Birth of John the Baptist 263 

5. The marriage of Joseph and Mary 266 

6. The Birth of Jesus Christ our Lord 268 

7. The presentation of Christ in the temple 271 

8. The wise men of the East 275 

9. The parents of Jesus flee with him to Egypt 278 

LO. Jesus, who is only twelve years old, is lost by his pa- 
rents, and afterwards found in the temple 281 

11. John the Baptist commences his mission 283 

12. Jesus is baptized by John 288 

13. Jesus is tempted in the Wilderness. .- 291 

14. Jesus selects the twelve Apostles 295 

15. Jesus converses with a woman from Samaria 301 

16. The pool of Bethesda 306 

17. Jesus healeth on the Sabbath 309 

18. The young man of Nain and the daughter of Jarius. . 314 

19. The parable of the sower 318 

20. The tares among the wheat 322 

21. The beheading of John the Baptist 324 

22. Jesus feeds five thousand people 329 

23. Jesus heals the daughter of a heathen mother 332 

24. The healing of the man born blind 334 

25. The transfiguration of Christ 339 

26. Jesus reproveth the fiery zeal of his two disciples.... 341 

27. The good Samaritan 344 

(9) 



10 CONTENTS. 

Pagi 

28. Martha and Mary 348 

29. The rich man, who was suddenly taken away 352 

30. The Prodigal Son .' 354 

31. The rich man, and Lazarus the beggar 359 

32. The grateful Samaritan 362 

33. Jesus blesses little children 365 

34. Zaccheus in the sycamore tree. , . , ; 368 

35. Lazarus raised from the dead 371 

36. Jesus is anointed at Bethany 378 

37. Christ's entrance into Jerusalem 382 

38. The parable of the Vineyard 387 

39. Jesus giveth his disciples an example of humility, he 

washes their feet, and discovereth him who should 

betray him 391 

40. The institution of the Lord's Supper 396 

41. Jesus in Gethsemane , 400 

42. Jesus is taken prisoner 404 

43. Peter denies Christ 408 

44. The accusation and condemnation of Jesus 411 

45. The crucifixion of Christ, and his death 418 

46. The Burial of Jesus 425 

47. The resurrection of Jesus 429 

48. Christ appeareth several times after his resurrection, 

and instituteth the rite of Baptism 437 

49. The ascension of Jesus 443 

50. The Coming of the Holy Ghost 447 

51. The Martyrdom of Stephen 451 

52. The Conversion of Paul 454 



FIFTY-TWO 
SELECT BIBLICAL STORIES 



FROM THE 



OLD TESTAMENT 



(11) 



Page 12. 



Story 1. 




The Creation. 



HUBNER'S BIBLICAL STOKIES 



OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. 



STORY 1. 

£f t(je Creation. 

Genesis, Chap. I. 

In the beginning, 1 when there was nothing, 
God created heaven and earth. 2 But the earth 
was still a desert and void and covered with 
deep waters and darkness. And the creative 
spirit of God commenced to rule upon these 
waters, and by his Almighty "Word : 3 Let there 
be ! all was, and in the wisest order, as God 
had desired it to be. First, God said : Let there 
be light, 4 and there was light ; 6 but the light was 
not to shine constantly, but was to alternate 
with darkness, so as to produce day and night, 

1 Who, when there was nothing, created heaven and earth ? 

2 How did the earth look in the beginning? 

3 What was the Almighty word of God, which called into 
existence all? 

* What was created first ? 
' What was to be alternate ? 

2 (13) 



14 OF THE CREATION. 

and it was so. Then God said : 6 Let there be 
a space between the clouds in the heavens and 
the waters on the earth, and it was so. And 
again God spoke : 7 Let the waters gather and 
abide in their proper cavities, that the dry land 
may appear, and it was so. Now there was the 
dry land and God spoke. 8 Let the earth produce 
grass, and herbs, and all sorts of fruitbearing 
trees, which can multiply by seed, and it was 
so. Then spoke God: 9 There shall be lights in 
the heavens, a large one for the day and a 
smaller one for the night, also stars, and it was 
so. Hereupon God said: Let the waters and 
the air swarm with all sorts of animals, 10 and 
large whales and all that liveth and moveth in 
the waters, came into existence ; also all kinds 
of birds that fly under the heavens. And God 
spoke again : n Let the earth bring forth four- 
footed animals, and all the creatures that live 
upon the land, and it was so. Now all was 
created upon the earth, and was well ordered, 

• What did God make between the clouds and the waters oi 
the earth? 

i Where was the water to collect and remain, that the dry 
land might appear ? 

8 What was the earth to produce ? 

9 What else did God create in the heavens? 

10 Which animals were created for the waters, and which for 
the air? 

11 Which animals was the earth to produce after the fishef 
and birds ? 



OF THE CREATION. 15 

except the principal work of creation ; therefore 
God said at last; 12 Let us make man, in our 
own image, after our likeness, who shall rule 
over all that is on earth ; and he created man 
in his own image, in the image of God, he 
created them male and female. Hereupon God 
examined all he had made, 13 and behold it was 
very good. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. There is but one God ! of itself, this immense 
world with all its contents, could not have come into 
existence. With humility let us worship the Creator. 

2. God is omnipotent. At the words: Let there 
be I all was. Always confide in him. 

3. God is wise. Both in great and small things, 
he has ordained everything most judiciously. Every 
plant is a miracle of God's wisdom. 

4. God is all love. He scatters joys throughout 
the whole of his creation. He provides for the worm 
that creepeth in the dust, for the caterpillar on the 
leaf, and should He not do so for man ? Certainly 
and more so. 

5. Let us also take care, that one day it may be 
said of us, their works were good. 

12 What said God finally, when only man, the principal work 
of creation was wanted ? 

18 Hew was now everything, that God had made? 



16 OF THE CREATION OF MAN. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

By His Almighty hand m 

Amazing works are wrought ; 
The heavens by his command 

Were to perfection brought. 
He spread the ocean round 

About the spacious land; 
And bade the rising ground 

Above the waters stand. 
By him the heavens display 

Their numerous hosts of light, 
The sun to rule by day 

The moon and stars, by night. 

Psalm ci. 6. — Let everything that hath breath 
yc aise the Lord 1 



STORY 2. 

Af (fje Creation of Man. 

Genesis, Chap. II. 

Of the creation of man, the principal being on 
earth, holy writ further says : After all things 
on earth had been ordered, and there were trees 
and animals. a God at last made man out of the 
dust of the earth 2 and breathed a living breath 

1 What did God create last on earth ? 
What did God put into his nostrils ? 



OF THE CKEATTON Of MAN. 17 

into his nostrils. Such the scriptures relate of 
no animal, but only of man, and thereby show 
that God hath given unto him a spirit 3 which is 
truly of divine origin. But God further showed 
his love for the man whom he had created and 
destined to be the Lord of the earth ; for he 
planted a garden 4 in which there were all sorts 
of trees, pleasant to look at and good for food, 
and placed man into this garden, 5 to cultivate 
it and keep it. God's wise intention was there- 
fore, that life even in paradise should not be 
idle, but that man should work. Hereupon, to 
provide still further for him, God said : 6 It is 
not good, that the man should be alone, I will 
give a helpmate, to be with him. But before 
this, God had brought all the animals of the 
field and all the birds of the heavens to the man, 
Hhat he might know them better and give each 
a name. As living creatures, man was glad to 
have them around him, but their society did not 
satisfy his longing for a companion ; 8 there was 
none among them that could have fully assisted 
him. And when his longing became greater 

3 "What kind of a spirit did God give to man? 

4 What kind of a garden did God plant? 
6 Why did he put man into this garden ? 

6 What did God say to provide still further for man ? 

7 Why did he bring all the beasts of the field and all the fowls 
of the air to the man ? 

8 But what kind of a creature did man not find ? 

2* 



18 OF THE CREATION OF MAN. 

and greater, 9 the Lord God caused a profound 
sleep to fall upon Adam, the man, and when he 
awoke from it behold the woman stood at his 
side, and he exclaimed full of joy. 10 Here I see 
bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, a being, 
that is like me ; yes this one is taken from man. 
By giving man a helpmate, he at the same time 
instituted holy matrimony and united the first 
couple with the words. u Be fruitful and multiply 
and replenish the earth and subdue it ; and have 
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the 
fowl of the air, and over every living thing that 
moveth upon the earth. Henceforth the man was 
called Adam and the woman Eve. 12 They were 
the first parents of the human race upon earth. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. We ought to take care of our body, for it is the 
gift of God, but particularly of our soul, that it be 
pious and happy hereafter. 

2. Honor the image of God in every man ! Who- 
ever dispiseth the meanest beggar, insults God's 
image, nay, God himself. 

9 How did God also gratify this longing of the first man ? 

10 What joyful exclamation escaped the man, when he saw 
Ihe woman at his side ? 

" What were the words of blessing, by which God un ted 
the first couple ? 

12 As all men are descended from Adam and Eve, what are 
these latter very properly called? 



THE FALL OF OUE FIEST PAEENTS. 19 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

By. thee alone the living live, 

Hide but thy face, their comforts fly ; 

They gather what thy seasons give 

Take thou away their breath, they die, 

But send again thy spirit forth, 

And life renews the gladdened earth. 

Mai. ii. 10. — Hare we not one father? hath not 
c»ne God created us ? why do we deal treacherously 
every man against his brother. 



STORY 3. 

GX)e efaff of flur tfrst parents. 

Genesis, Chap. III. 

1 The first parents, Adam and Eve, were very 
happy in paradise ; 2 for they lived in child-like 
innocence and piety. 3 But God also wished to 
exercise them in obedience, as a father accustoms 
his children to do only that, what is for their 
real good, and to omit what might be injurious 
to them. 4 Therefore he gave them a command, 
a very easy one, He told them that they might 

1 What was the condition of the first parents in paradise ? 

* Why was their state happy ? 

8 In what did God wish to exercise the first men ? 

4 What did he give to them, to prove their obedience ? 



20 THE FALL OF OUR FIRST PARENTS. 

eat of all the trees in the garden, except one 
which stood in the middle, 5 and which the scrip- 
tures call the tree of the knowledge of good and o' 
evil, because it was to try the obedience of Adam 
and Eve. To eat of this, God had forbidden, 
and to warn them particularly, had added, 6 that 
eating of this tree would cause their death. It 
happened however that a serpent had coiled 
round the tree and was eating of its fruit. Eve 
saw this and heard the serpent say : 7 You will 
by no means die, on the contrary, if you eat of 
it, you will be like God. Eve saw evidently, 
that the fruit might be eaten without causing 
death, and the more she looked at it, 8 the 
more its beauty excited her longing. She could 
resist no longer, °but broke a fruit from the tree, 
and gave some of it to her husband, who also 
ate of it. 10 God's command had therefore been 
broken; but what followed? "Immediately 
their conscience upbraided them ; they com- 
menced to be ashamed, that they were naked, 

6 What do the Scriptures call the tree, of which the first 
men were not to eat? 

6 What had God said would happen, if Adam and Eve ate 
vf the forbidden fruit 

7 What did Eve hear the serpent say? 

8 What became the more excited, the more Eve looked at the 
tree ? 

9 What did Eve take off the tree, and what else did she do ? 

10 What had now been broken ? 

11 What happened immediately to Adam and Eve? 



THE FALL OF OUE FIEST PAKENTS. 21 

and they made aprons of fig-leaves to cover 
themselves. This was not all, 12 but on the same 
day they heard the voice of God and hid under 
the trees in the garden. And God the Lord 
called on Adam and cried, 13 Where art thou ? 
He answered : U I heard thy voice and was afraid. 
Thereupon God spoke : 15 Hast thou not eaten of 
the forbidden tree ? Adam wanted to excuse 
himself and said : 16 The woman, whom thou 
gavest to me, has seduced me. And when God 
asked Eve : Why hast thou done this ? She 
replied : 17 The serpent has deceived me. But 
God immediately executed his threat and said 
to Adam : 18 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou 
eat bread, till thou return unto the ground from 
which thou art taken. And to Eve God spoke : 
19 In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, 
and thy husband shall rule over thee. Here- 
upon God made coats of skins for them, 20 drove 
them out of the garden of Eden, that Adam 
might cultivate the field, 21 and forbade them 

12 Whose voice did they hear on the same day ? 

13 What did God call to Adam ? 

14 What did the latter answer ? 

15 What did God say further to him ? 

16 With what did Adam try to excuse himself ? 
'" What did Eve say, when questioned by God ? 

18 What did God hereupon say to Adam ? 

19 What did he say to Eve ? 

20 Whence were Adam and Eve driven ? 

21 Where did God forbid them to return t 



22 THE FALL OF OUR FIRST PARENTS. 

ever to return to the paradise. 22 Thus sin has 
come into the world and ever since all men have 
sinned. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. When a child is disobedient to its pions parents, 
it injures itself most ; when men do not obey God, 
they rush into distress and misery. 

2. Every sin is like the forbidden fruit ; in the 
beginning it appears beautiful to us and promises us 
pleasure ; but its enjoyment brings death. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Have mercy Lord, on me, 

As thou wert ever kind, 
Let me, oppressed with loads of guilt, 

Thy wonted mercy find. 
Wash off my foul offence, 

And cleanse me from my sin ; 
For I confess my crime, and see 

How great my guilt has been. 
Make me to hear with joy 

Thy kind forgiving voice 
That so the bones which thou hast broke 

May with fresh strength rejoice. 

John v. 3. — For this is the love of God, that we 
keep his commandments, and his commandments are 
not grievous. 

22 What thus has come into the world T 



CAIN AND HIS BROTHER ABEL. 23 

STORY 4. 

(Cain anb f)ts Grotljer ilOef. 

Genesis, Chap. IY. 

^dam and Eve had two sons; 2 the eldest was 
called Cain, and was a tiller of the ground, 3 but 
the other was called Abel, and was a shepherd. 
4 Now both brothers brought an offering to the 
Lord; 5 Cain of the fruits of the field, 6 and 
Abel of the firstlings of his flock. 7 However, as 
in every thing that we sacrifice unto the Lord, 
all depends upon the piety of the soul, 8 the offer- 
ing of the good Abel pleased God better, than 
the offering of Cain, who was not so good. 9 At 
this Cain became wroth and his countenance 
fell, but the Lord warned him and spoke: 10 Why 

1 How many sons had Adam ? 

* What was the name of the elder and what was his occupa- 
tion? 

3 What was the name of the younger, and what was his 
occupation ? 

4 What did both brothers bring to the Lord? 

5 Of what consisted Cain's offering ? 

6 Of what Abel's offering? 

T Upon what does every thing depend when we sacrifice unto 
the Lord ? 

8 Whose offering pleased the Lord best ? 

9 How did Cain conduct himself, when the Lord preferred 
Abel's offering ? 

10 How did God warn Cain? 



Page 24. 



Story 4. 




Cain and Abel. 



CAIN AND HIS BKOTHER ABEL. 



25 



dit thou wroth, and why does thy countenance 
fall ? If thou art pious, thou wilt be pleasing, 
but if thou art not pious, sin lieth at the door ; 
however do not yield to it, but rule over it. 
Oh, that Cain had listened to the voice of the 
Lord in time ! But he did not ; for when, on a 
time, he was in the field with Abel, n he rose 
up against him and slew him. Yet scarcely 
had the murder been committed, when God 
spoke to him : 12 Where is thy brother Abel ? 
And Cain answered abruptly and with insolence : 
13 I know not ; am I to be my brother's keeper ? 
But with the earnestness of a judge the Lord 
answered: 14 What hast thou done? Thy 
brother's blood cries to me from the earth. 15 As 
Cain could not deny the deed, he was cursed by 
the Lord, to be a fugitive and a vagabond upon 
the earth. And now he felt in the inmost of 
his heart what a crime he had committed ; for 
he said : 16 My sin is greater than that it can be 
forgiven. "After this he went into a distant 



11 Not minding the warning of the Lord, what did he do to his 
brother ? 

12 What did God now say to Cain ? 

13 What was the insolent answer he made to the Lord ? 

14 What did God reply with the earnestness of a judge ? 

15 What curse of the Lo^d fell on Cain, who could not deny 
the deed he had done ? 

16 What did Cain say, when he felt the enormity of his crime ? 

17 Where did he go to, and what did he do after this ? 



26 CAIN AND HIS BEOTHER ABEL. 

land, and became the builder of the first city on 
earth and 18 called it Enoch after his eldest son. 
19 Later God gave to the first parents another 
son to indemnify them for the loss of Abel, and 
they called him Seth. 20 Among his descendants 
Enoch is particularly remarkable; for of him 
the Scriptures say : 21 Because he led a godly 
life, the Lord took him away, and he was seen 
no more. This word is the first intimation that 
the pious shall dwell in the presence of the Lord 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. God still continues to warn man against sin by 
the voice of his conscience, by passages from Scrip- 
ture, which occur to him. when most needed, by 
kind admonitions, which we receive from our 
friends and teachers; all this is the voice of the 
Lord, and man should hearken unto it. 

2. We cannot conceal our evil deeds from the 
Lord or deny them ; he discovers them as soon as 
committed and the punishment is sure to follow. 

3. Hatred and envy lead us to the most heinous 
crimes. Let us banish them carefully from oui 
hearts. 

18 What did he call the city built by him ? 

19 By what means did God indemnify the first parents for 
their murdered son ? 

*° Who is particularly remarkable among the descendants of 
Seth? 
81 What do the Scriptures say of Enoch ? 



THE FLOOD. 27 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

The sacrifices I require 

Are hearts which love and zeal inspire, 

And vows with strictest care made good 
In time of trouble call on me 
And I will set thee safe and free, 

And thoa shalt praise thy gracious God. 

James i. 20. — For the wrath of man worketk not 
the righteousness of God. 



STORY 5. 

%{)Z JToob. 

In the year of the world, 1656, and 2348 before Clirist. 

Genesis, Chaps. VI., VII., VIII. 

When by degrees, man began to multiply and 
spread over the earth, ^in and crime likewise 
increased. One man, with his kindred, alone 
lived righteously in the sight of the Lord, 2 and 
his name was Noah. Therefore God determined 
? to destroy all men from the face of the earth, 



When men began to multiply what likewise increased ? 
s Who alone, with his kindred lived righteously in the sight 
of the Lord ? 
8 What did God determine to do ? 



Story n. 



Page 28. 




The Fbad. 



THE FLOOD. 29 

and to spare only the one who found favor in 
his sight. He therefore commanded Noah, 4 tc 
build an ark, three hundred cubits in length, 
fifty cubits in breadth, and thirty cubits in 
height. This ark contained three sets of cham- 
bers, and was so secured, on the inside and on 
the outside, 5 that no water could penetrate into 
it. And God commanded him to bring 6 two, a 
male and female, of every quadruped, bird and 
reptile; and Noah brought together all kinds 
of food in such quantities, that he and the 
animals which were with him, 7 were provided for 
a whole year. Then Noah, together with 8 his 
wife, his three sons and their wives went into 
the ark, and the Lord closed the door after 
them. 

Thereupon the fountains of the great deep 
and all the windows of the heavens were 
opened, and 9 the waters gushed up from the 
earth, and poured down from the skies. This 
lasted continuously for forty days, and in that 



4 What did God, wishing to save Noah, command him to do? 
6 How was the ark, which Noah built, secured on the inside 
and on the outside ? 

6 What did God command Noah to take with him into the 
ark? 

7 How long were all within the ark provided for ? 

8 Who went with Noah into the ark ? 

9 "What then happened on the earth and in the heavens ? 

3* 



30 THE FLOOD. 

time the water so increased, 10 that it lay fifteen 
cubits over the tops of the highest mountains. 
The ark, in which were all whom God desired 
to preserve "floated about on the waters of the 
mighty flood ; 12 but all things besides which had 
the breath of life were destroyed. After the 
waters had rested upon the earth 13 one hundred 
and fifty days, the Lord caused a strong wind 
to prevail, and 14 they gradually subsided ; 15 and 
the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. 
Noah now wished to learn if the surface of the 
earth was dry again. He therefore let fly 16 a 
raven and three doves, one after another. The 
raven found "nourishment in what had been 
drowned, and flew to and fro about the ark, but 
did not enter therein. After seven days Noah 
sent out a dove, which returned to him ; 18 for 
all things were covered with slime and mud. 
Again after seven days he sent forth a dove, 

10 How did the water increase ? 
" What happened to the ark? 

12 What was the fate of all other things ? 

13 How long did the waters rest upon the earth? 

14 What happened to the waters when God sent a strong 
wind? 

« Where did the ark rest ? 

16 What did Noah let fly, in order to learn whether the earth 
was dry? 

17 What did the raven find ? 

is "Why did the dove, which Noah had sent out after seven 
days, return to him ? 



THE FLOOD. 31 

which came to him 19 bearing in its bill an olive- 
leaf. And he stayed yet other seven days, 
when he sent forth the third dove, 20 which re- 
turned not, for the earth was dry. At length 
God spoke unto Noah and said : 21 " Thou and 
thine go out of the ark, and let the animals go 
out also." When Noah again stepped upon the 
earth, he was moved in his heart, 22 and at once 
built an altar and offered burnt-offerings as 
thanks unto the Lord. This so pleased God, that 
he blessed Noah and his three sons, and gave 
them ^the rain-bow as a token of a covenant 
between them, that no flood should again come 
upon the earth. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Even among evil men, we can remain pious and 
virtuous. This is seen in the case of Noah. 

2. Through sin, man prepares his own destruction. 
Sin is always the rain of a people. 

3. If you are saved from great danger, do not 
forget to thank God for his mercy ? 



19 What did the dove, which again after seven days flew out, 
bear in its bill ? 

20 What happened, as after other seven days, the third dove 
flew out ? 

21 What did the Lord say unto Noah ? 

22 What did Noah do, when he again stepped upon the earth ? 

23 What did Gk>d establish as the token of a covenant between 
them, that no flood should again come upon the earth? 



32 THE TOWER OF BABEL. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

If God, the righteous whom he loves 

For trial doe3 correct ; 
What must the sons of violence, 

Whom he abhors, expect? 
The righteous Lord will righteous deeds 

With signal favor grace, 
And to the upright man disclose, 

The brightness of his face. 

Psalms 1. 14. — Offer unto God thanksgiving, and 
pay thy vows unto the most High. 



STORY 6. 

Sfje £oroer of 35a0ef. 

In the year of the world, 1770, and 2234 before Christ, 
Genesis, Chap. XI. 

The generations of Noah wished to remain 
together, and for this purpose 2 sought a common 
place of meeting. They selected a large plain 
in the land of Shinar, and commenced to build 
2 a high tower, the top of which was to reach 



1 What did the generations of Noah seek, because they 
wanted to remain together ? 

8 What did they begin to build in the land of Shinar? 



Story 



Page 33. 




The Tower of Babel. 



34 THE TOWER OF BABEL. 

into the clouds, 3 so that it might be seen from 
afar, and serve as a sign to those who might go 
astray, by which they could again find their 
common resting-place. They also wanted to 
build 4 a large city around the tower, and hoped 
by means of the whole structure, to make for 
themselves 5 a famous name upon the earth. 

They commenced their task with great zeal. 
The assistance of God is, however, necessary 
in all our works, and nought can be accom- 
plished without his aid. 6 The pride and 
ambition, which man showed by this intended 
structure, displeased God greatly. Besides, it 
was the will of God 7 that the different portions 
of the earth, should, at an early period be cul- 
tivated and inhabited ; He therefore, frustrated 
their proud undertaking. Up to this time, 
8 man had spoken but one language. God, now 
caused 9 confusion to come among them, so that 
some called a thing by one name, and others by 



3 Why did they want the top of the tower to reach the 
clouds ? 

4 What did the people want to build around the tower ? 

6 What did they hope to make for themselves by means of 
this structure ? 

6 Why was God displeased with this people ? 

7 What was the will of God. relative to the peopling of the 
<sarth ? 

8 What language had man spoken up to this time ? 

9 What did God canse to come among them ? 



THE TOWER OP BABEL. 35 

a different one. This compelled them to 10 desist 
from their purpose, and to separate into different 
tribes, of which each spoke a distinct language. 
In commemoration of this event, the unfinished 
town was "called Babel, i.e. confusion. 12 But 
man scattered abroad over the face of the earth. 
This story reminds us of the word, " God re- 
sisteth the proud and giveth grace to the 
humble. — 1 Peter v.* 5. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Man can, it is true, make for himself a name 
by things of vanity and ambition, but to be pious 
and do God's work, alone brings true honor. 

2. Whatever is undertaken without God, and in 
a spirit of pride and ambition, however great and 
splendid it may be, must fall to ruin. 

3. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the 
humble. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

While I hearken to thy law, 
Fill my heart with humble awe, 
'Till thy gospel bring to me 
Life and immortality ! 
While thy ministers proclaim, 
Peace and pardon in thy name, 
Through their voice, by faith may I 
Hear the speaking from on high. 



10 What was the effect of this confusion ? 

11 What was the unfinished town called ? 
,a What did the p« >ple then do ? 



86 ABRAHAM AND SARAH. 

Jeremiah ix. 24.— But let him that glorietn, glory 
in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that 
T am the Lord. 



STORY 7. 

flGraOtim anb Saralj. 

In the year of the world, 2107, and 1897 before Christ. 
Genesis, Chap. XVIII. 

About two thousand years before the birth of 
our Saviour, there lived *at Ur, in Chaldea, and 
afterwards at Harian, a man named Abraham, 
which means, " The father of many people." 
He owned 2 large herds of all kinds of cattle, 
besides much gold and silver, and men and 
maid-servants. He had a great name among 
those who knew the word, 3 not on account of his 
riches, but because he found favor in the sight of 
the Lord for his righteousness, and also because 
God had revealed himself unto him, and made 
great promises to him. God first revealed him- 



1 Where did Abraham live ? 

2 What did he own ? 

" Why had he a great name amoDg those who knew the 
woidT 



Story 7. 




Abraham and Sarah. 

4 



38 ABKAHAM AND SARAH. 

self to him while he was still at Haran ; then 
the Lord commanded him, and said: 4 Get 
thee out of thy country, which is full of 
idolatry, and go unto a land which I shall 
shew thee. I will make thee the head of a 
great people, and in thee shall all families of the 
earth be blessed. This blessing referred 5 to the 
Saviour of the world, who should be a descendant 
of Abraham, and appear on the earth at the 
appointed time. Abraham was obedient unto 
God and departed with all that the Lord had 
given him, and came into 6 the land of Canaan. 
Then the Lord appeared to him again and said : 
7 This land will I give unto thy posterity. 
Abraham rejoiced in his heart, and built 8 an 
altar unto the Lord as a token of his thankful- 
ness. 

Abraham relied upon the word of the Lord, 
and awaited the time when it should come to 
pass, that the promise of the Lord would be 
fulfilled; and behold not long after that, the 
fulfilment began. When he was sitting in the 

* What did God say, when he revealed himself unto Abraham 
for the first time ? 

5 To whom did the blessing of God refer, which he promised 
unto Abraham ? 

6 Where did Abraham go at the command of the Lord ? 

7 What did God say to him in the land of Canaan ? 

8 What did Abraham build as a token of thankfulness to the 
Lord? 



ABRAHAM AND SABAH. 39 

heat of the day before the door of his hut, 
which was built under green trees, and situated 
in the plains of Mamre : behold as he raised 
his eyes, 9 there appeared to him three men, 
whom he had never seen before. And when he 
saw them, the venerable old man hastened to 
them, bowed himself before them and said : 
L0 Pass not by the hut of your servant, but stay 
and rest under my trees; water shall be brought 
to wash your feet, and I shall have a meal 
prepared for you. They granted his request, 
and he did as he had said, and led them into 
the cool shade of his trees. Thereupon he 
went hastily into the hut, and said to Sarah, his 
wife : u There are strangers here ; take plenty 
meal and knead it, and make fine bread 
thereof! He also ordered a tender calf to be 
brought from the herd, and to be dressed, 
which, with milk and butter he set before them. 
When the strangers were seated at table, he 
stood near them, and waited on them in all 
things. But Sarah 12 was inside of the hut, 
which stood near the trees, under which they 
sat. From the words of the strangers Abraham 

9 What happened as he was one day seated before the door 
of his hut ? 

10 What did he say as he hastened towards the strangers ? 

11 What did he say to Sarah, when the strangers acceded to 
his request ? 

12 Where was Sarah when Abraham attended upon them f 



40 ABRAHAM AND SARAH. 

13 divined at once that they were sent by the 
Lord, and one of them gave unto him the 
following promise : u After the lapse of a year 
I shall come unto you again, and then a son 
will have been born unto Sarah. Sarah, who 
was in the hut, heard this and 15 laughed, for she 
was an old woman, and could not expect to 
have children at her time of life. The strangei 
who had spoken as a messenger from God, re- 
proved her levity and said : 16 shall anything be 
impossible unto the Lord. 17 And it came to 
pass, indeed, as it had been promised unto 
Abraham, for Sarah bore him a son whom he 
named Isaac. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The riches of Abraham are thought nothing of, 
but his righteousness is greatly extolled. Righteous- 
ness is worth more than riches. 

2. Good men are the favorites of God and the joy 
of the angels. 

3. What God promises is always fulfilled. There- 
fore if thou be righteous, rejoice, but tremble, if thou 
art the servant of sin. 

19 What did Abraham divine from their words ? 

14 What promise was made to him by one of them? 

15 How did Sarah receive the words of the stranger? 

16 How did the stranger, who had spoken as a messenger from 
God, reprove her levity ? 

17 How was the promise, which was given unto Abraham, 
fulfilled ? 



Abraham's intercession for sodom. 4 i 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

The Lord, who made both heaven and earth, 

And all that they contain, 
Will never quit his steadfast truth, 

Nor make his promise vain. 
Then happy he, who Jacob's God 

For his protector takes ; 
Who still with well placed hope, the Lord 

His constant refuge makes. 

Psalms xxxiii. 4. — For the word of the Lord is 
right, and all his works are done in truth. 



STORY 8. 

iflOraOcim's Ontercesston <for Sobom„ 

Genesis, Chap. XYIII. 

After the men had eaten, they stood up and 1 
turned towards Sodom; 2 but Abraham accom- 
panied them. And the Lord said : How can I 
hide from Abraham that thing which I do. And 
therefore disclosed to him that a he had learned 
that the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah was great j 



1 Did the men turn after they had eaten ? 

* How did Abraham further show them honor ? 

* What did the I <ord reveal to Abraham ? 

4* 



Story 8. 



Page 42. 




Abraham inteicedes for Sodom. 



abeaham's intercession FOR SODOM. 43 

and the Lora wanted to see himself, whether 
they had done altogether according to the cry 
of it, which had come unto him. Hereupon 
the angels turned their faces and went towards 
Sodom ; but Abraham remained standing before 
the Lord and said ; 4 Wilt thou also destroy the 
righteous with the wicked ? Perhaps there be 
fifty righteous within the city ; wilt thou not 
spare the place for the sake of the fifty that 
are therein ? 5 I will spare the place " said the 
Lord, if I find fifty righteous therein." Abraham 
answered : 6 Behold now I have taken upon me 
to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and 
ashes, there might be perchance five less than the 
fifty. 7 Even then, said the Lord, will I not destroy 
the city. Abraham continued and said : 8 there 
might perhaps be forty found therein. And 
the Lord promised 9 even then to spare the town. 
But Abraham who loved all men as brothers, 
still persisted and said : 10 Be not angry, Lord ! 
that I still speak. There may peradventure 
be but thirty. n If I find even this number, 

4 TV hat did Abraham therefore say unto the Lord ? 

5 What answer did the Lord in his mercy make ? 

6 What said Abraham further to the Lord ? 

7 What did the Lord say in answer to this ? 

8 What did Abraham in continuation say unto the Lord? 

9 What did the Lord promise ? 

10 What did Abraham, still persisting, say unto the Lord? 
u What answer did he again receive from the Lord ? 



44 Abraham's intercession for sodom. 

" said the Lord again, so shall the place remain 
unharmed. But the chosen of the Lord con- 
tinued his intercession and said. 12 Behold now 
I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord ; 
there might perchance be but twenty. And the 
Lord said : 13 If I find twenty righteous I will 
destroy none;" But Abraham did not cease 
even here and said : 14 Oh ! let not the Lord be 
angry, and I will speak yet but this once, per- 
adventure there be but ten. 15 Even for the 
sake of these, said the Lord, shall it be spared. 
le Hereupon the Lord left Abraham, who re- 
turned into his hut. 



USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. You must never look with indifference upon the 
misery of others, even if they have been the cause 
of their own misfortunes ; above all never contemplate 
their sufferings with pleasure. 

2. A pious and virtuous man can often avert mis- 
fortunes from many. Ten righteous men would have 
saved Sodom. 



12 "What did Abraham, continuing his intercession again say 
nnto the Lord ? 

13 What answer was given to him ? 

14 What did Abraham say for the last time ? 
18 What ■« as the Lord's answer ? 

l * Where did Abraham go when the Lord left him ? 



SODOM AND GOMOEEAH. 45 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

To bless thy chosen race, 

In mercy, Lord, incline ; 
And cause the brightness of thy face 

On all thy saints to shine, 
That so thy wondrous way 

May through the world be known ; 
While distant lands their tribute pay, 

And thy salvation own. 

Lnke xxiii. 34. — Then said Jesus, Father, forgive 
them : for they know not what they do. 



STORY 9. 

Sobom anb ijomorralj. 

Genesis, Chap. XIX. 

The two angels who had gone towards Sodom 
had been sent away by the Lord Ho warn Lot, 
the son of the brother of Abraham, to escape 
from the destruction which was about to come 
upon the city. They came towards evening to 
Sodom, while Lot was sitting at the city gate. 
When he saw them he hastened to meet them, 



1 For what ptjrpose were the angels who had gone to Sodom, 
particularly sent by the Lord ? 



46 SODOM AND GOMORRAH. 

and said : 2 Enter into the house of youi servant 
and tarry all night. 3 At first they rejected his 
offer ; but as he pressed them greatly, they en- 
tered with him into his dwelling ; and Lot pre- 
pared a meal for his guests. But before they 
lay down to rest, there came all the people of 
the city, old and young, and surrounded the 
house and demanded 4 that Lot should bring the 
strange men out unto them ; for they wanted to 
commit a great outrage upon them. 5 Lot went 
and sought to persuade them from their purpose, 
and said : Dear Brethern. Do not do so wicked 
a deed as to ill use strangers who have entered 
under my roof." But 6 the people pressed so 
hard upon Lot, that the angels reached forth their 
hands and drew him into the house ; they then 
closed the doors and smote the men with blind- 
ness, so that they were prevented from finding 
and breaking the door. Hereupon the angels 
informed Lot and said : 7 We are sent by the 



2 What did Lot say when he saw the messengers of the 
Lord ? 

8 How did the angels grant Lot's request ? 

4 What did the people demand of Lot when they surrounded 
his house ? 

6 How did Lot seek to persuade the people from their shame- 
ful purpose? 

6 W"hat did the angels do when the people pressed hard upon 
Lot? 

"What did the angels hereupon commuricate to Lot? 



SODOM AND GOMORRAH. 47 

Lord to destroy the city on account of its 
great wickedness ; but if thou hast any belong- 
ing to thee bring them out of this place. 8 And 
Lot told this unto the young men who were to 
be his sons-in-law, 9 but they mocked him and 
took no heed of the warning which he gave 
them. 

Scarcely had the morning dawned when the 
angels said unto Lot : arise quickly, take thy 
wife and thy daughters, who are with thee, lest 
thou art consumed in the iniquity of the city. 
Lot still lingered, but the angels 10 took him and 
his by the hand and led them out of the city. 
When they were on the outside, one of the an- 
gels said "save yourselves among the mountains, 
fly quickly and take heed that ye look not back 
upon this place or ye also shall be lost. Lot 
thought he could not reach the mountains in 
time, 12 so he prayed that it might be granted to 
him to flee unto the next town. And the 
angel answered him and said, 13 This town also 
was destined for destruction, but for thy sake 

8 To whom did Lot communicate this information ? 

9 What did the young men do, when they had heard Lot'a 
warning ? 

10 What did the angels do when Lot still lingered in the city ? 

11 What did the angel say unto Lot, when he au his were 
gone out of the city ? 

12 Wfrat did Lot beg of the angel? 

xs What answer did he make to his request ? 



iS SODOM AND GOMORRAH. 

shall it be spared, haste thee to save thy-self 
therein. As soon as the sun rose the Lord 
caused 14 a rain of brimstone and fire to fall, and 
15 Sodom and Gomorrah, and the places round 
about, and every one that dwelt therein were 
overthrown. In its place, 16 a lake was formed 
which bears the name of the 17 Dead Sea, and 
also the Salt Sea. 18 A thick sulphurous vapor 
rises constantly from its surface, and not a blade 
of grass grows near it. The whole neighbor- 
hood from its desolate appearance, reminds us 
l9 how fearfully God punishes the guilty. 20 Lot 
and his daughters were saved, but his wife ^for- 
got the warning of the angel and looked back ; 
thereupon 22 she was overtaken by destruction, 
and was changed into a pillar of salt. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Good and pious men know how to receive God 
even in the midst of distress. 

14 What did the Lord cause to rain down from heaven at 
sunrise ? 

15 What was the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah? 

16 What was thereby formed in that place ? 

17 By what names is this lake now known ? 

18 What is the nature of this lake ? 

19 Of what does the whole neighborhood from its desolate 
appearance remind us ? 

20 What was the fate of Lot and his daughters ? 

21 What did Lot's wife do ? 
2:1 What happened to her ? 



ABRAHAM IS TEMPTED TO SACRIFICE ISAAC. 49 

2. Do not despise good counsel, given by an intelli- 
gent man, even though it may appear ludicrous to 
thee. 

3. "We may continue with impunity in the paths of 
sinfulness for a long time, but punishment will over- 
take us in the end. We see an example of this in 
the fate of Sodom. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
God is just in all he doeth, 

Kind is he in all his ways ; 
He his ready presence showeth, 

When a faithful servant prays. 
From Jehovah all who prize him 
Shall his saving health enjoy: 
All the wicked who despise him, 
He will in their sin destroy. 

Psalm xxxvii. 37 38. — Mark the perfect man, and 
behold the upright : for the end of that man is peace : 
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together ; the 
end of the wicked shall be cut off. 



STORY 10. 

<fl6ra(Jam (5 fempteb to Sacrifice Osaac. 

Genesis, Chap. XXII. 

When Isaac was grown up Abraham's obedi- 
ence was put to a severe proof. 1 This son was 
the only one whom Sarah had borne unto him, 

1 What was to be proved by the sacrifice of Isaac ? 
5 



Story 10. 



Page 50. 




Abraham is ready to sacrifice Isaac. 



ABRAHAM IS TEMPTED TO SACRIFICE ISAAC. 51 

and through him, according *to the promise of 
the Lord, were all the generations of the earth 
to be blessed. How dear then beyond all other 
things, must such a son have been in the eyes of 
his father ! But behold the command of the 
Lord was made known to him : 2 Take now thy 
son Isaac whom thou lovest and get thee with 
him into the land of Moriah, and there sacri- 
fice him upon one of the mountains as a burnt 
offering unto me." On the following morning 
3 Abraham did as the lord commanded him ; he 
rose early and took his son and two of his servants 
and went unto the place which the Lord had 
selected for this trial. "When on the third day, 
he saw the spot from afar, he left his servants 
below in the valley, with the command 4 to remain 
there till he should have worshipped, and then 
ascended the mountain with his son Isaac. 5 The 
latter carried the wood 6 and Abraham the fire 
and the knife. As they walked along the child 
asked in its innocence, 7 father, where is the burnt 
offering which thou bringest to the Lord. ? And 



2 What was God's command to Abraham ? 

3 What did Abraham do on the following morning ? 

4 What command did he give the servants whom he left in 
the valley ? 

6 What did Isaac carry to the sacrifice ? 
e What did Abraham bear? 

7 What did the son say to his father, as they ascended the 
mountain? 



hi ABRAHAM IS TEMPTED TO SACRIFICE ISAAC. 

8 Abraham answered, with a bleeding heart, reso- 
lute however in its obedience : my son, God will 
provide himself a lamb. They now reached 
the appointed spot. 9 Abraham at once built an 
altar, while Isaac assisted him with childlike 
piety ; every thing was ready, and now — now 
Abraham bound 10 his son and laid him on the 
altar on top of the wood. He had already 
stretched forth his hand, and grasped the knife, 
when the angel of the lord cried unto him, say- 
ing : "Abraham ! Abraham ! Lay not thy hand 
upon the boy, neither do thou any thing unto 
him j now I know that thou fearest God, and 
doest not even withhold thine only son from him. 
Full of joy, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw 
12 a ram caught in the thicket by his horns, and 
he took the ram and offered him up as a burnt- 
offering 13 instead of his son. 14 Hereupon he re- 
ceived the repeated assurance, that God would 
cause his race to multiply as the stars in the 
heavens, and thankful to the Lord he returned, 



8 What answer did Isaac receive from his father ? 

9 What did Abraham build upon the mountain? 

10 Whom did he lay on the altar on top of the wood ? 

11 What did the aogel cry unto him when he had stretched 
forth his hand towards the boy ? 

12 W hat did Abraham see when he lifted up his eyes ? 

13 In whose stead did Abraham now offer up the ram as » 
burnt-offering ? 

11 What promise was given to him again ? 



ABRAHAM IS TEMPTED TO SACRIFICE ISAAC. 53 

with his son, who had been restored to him, 
unto Beer-Sheba ; where he dwelt. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. It is not enough that we perform those duties 
which are light and easy ; those most difficult must 
also be accomplished. 

2. God leads the righteous, whom he will preserve, 
out of the sternest trials. An angel at the proper 
time prevented the sacrifice of Isaac. 

3. Such trials prove a blessing in the end. Abraham 
received from God the repeated promise, that through 
him all the generations of the earth should be blessed. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

O be with God, one mind, one heart, 

His will be thine for evermore, 
"Nor let from thee his spirit part 

E'en in the midst of anguish sore : 
Whil'st o'er life's roughhewed path we move, 

A father he will ever prove. 

1. Corin. x. 13. — God is faithful, who will not suffer 
you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will 
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that 
ye may be able to bear it. 



5* 



54 DEATH AND BURIAL OF SARAH. 

STORY 11. 

Dealt) anb Gurtaf of 8arafJ. 

Genesis, Chap. XXIII. 

Sarah died at a great age, but not in Beei u 
Sheba, where Abraham dwelt, but at Hebron 
in the land of Canaan. And Abraham went 
there to mourn for his wife, and bury her accord- 
ing to the customs of his time. When he had 
now come to the body of his beloved Sarah, he 
sat upon the ground near it for a long time; 
then he arose and spake unto the inhabi- 
tants, the sons of Heth, saying, 2 I am indeed a 
stranger among you, but I can at the same time 
be regarded as one of you, for has not my wife 
Sarah lived among you, andlo! has she not died 
here? give me therefore possession of a burying- 
place among you, that I may bury my dead out 
of my sight. And the sons of Heth answered 
him and said : 3 Thou art a prince of the Lord 
among us, place th}' dead in any of our sepul- 
chres, that may please thee ; each of us will will- 
ingly give unto thee his sepulchre : so highly 
esteemed was Abraham among them, because 
they knew he possessed the confidence of the 

1 Where did Sarah die ? 

2 How did Abraham speak unto the sons of Heth ? 

3 What answer did he receive from them ? 



DEATH AND BUEIAL OF SA.EAH. 55 

Lord. But he did not wish to bury his wife 
Sarah in a strange sepulchre, *and requested the 
Hittites that they might so entreat Ephron, the 
son of Zohar, for him, that he would sell to him 
the double cave which lay at the end of his 
field ; 5 Ephron, a worthy man, offered him the 
cave as a present. But Abraham did not accept 
this, but 6 begged that he might be permitted to 
buy the cave, together with the field which was 
round about it. And Ephron dealt honestly to- 
wards him and determined that the field was 
worth four hundred shekels of silver, but only 
to himself who could make use of the same, 
not to a stranger who required only a sepulchre. 
But this did not deter Abraham, and he bought 
the cave, together with the field, and the trees 
that were therein. And after this Abraham 
7 buried his wife Sarah in the cave, which was 
to receive his body after his death. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Kighteous and deserving men should be honored 
even after death. 



* What did Abraham request of the Hittites ? 
6 How did Ephron act towards Abraham ? 

6 As Abraham did not wish to take the cave as a present, 
what request did he then make ? 

7 What did Abraham do after he had bought the cave, 
together with the field, and the trees which were therein ? 



56 ISAAC'S MARRIAGE. 

2. Kindness is always worth much, but it become 
doubly valuable when offered to the distressed. 

3. We may mourn for the righteous dead, but our 
grief should be within bounds. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Often look in lowly spirit 

On the grave where all decays, 

Earth born, sinning, without merit, 
Seek the Lord in prayer and praise. 

Pray that ev'ry day and hour 

He may give thee grace and power. 

Psalm xc. 12. — So teach us to number our days 
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 



STORY 12. 

Osttttc's 311 a r r t a g e . 

In the year of tlie world 2148, and 1856 before Christ. 
Genesis, Chap. XXIV. 

As Abraham grew older, he thought it well 
that he should give a wife unto his son Isaac. 
He did not wish a heathen daughter-in-law, *but 
wanted to obtain for him one from among his 
own kindred, 2 that he might thereby show hon- 
or to the true God of the heavens and the earth. 

1 From among whom should Isaac take a wife according to 
the wish of his father Abraham ? 
* Why was this Abraham's wish ? 



Story 12. 



Page 57. 




Isaac's Marriage. 



58 ISAACS MARRIAGE. 

He therefore commanded one of the servants of 
his house named Eliezer, whom he had placed in 
charge of all that he had to 8 go into his own 
country and there to obtain a wife for his son 
Isaac. 4 Eliezer loaded ten camels with costly 
goods, and departed unto the city of Nahor which 
takes its name from one of the brothers of Abra- 
ham. Before the gate of the city there was a well, 
where the daughters of the place used to go to 
draw water. When Eliezer reached this well, 
he made his camels kneel down, and he prayed 
unto God 5 that he might make known unto him 
which of the daughters of the city he had ap- 
pointed as the wife of Isaac, and he would there- 
by know her, that if at his request, one of them 
should let down her pitcher for him to drink, 
and should water his camels for him. 

Just then there came to the well a very beau- 
tiful maiden. Eliezer spake unto her and said : 
" Let me drink a little water from thy pitcher," 
6 and she answered him kindly, and said, " most 
willingly ;" and she hastened and let down her 
pitcher, upon her hand, and gave the strange 
man a drink. I will, she added, also water thy 



3 What did he now command Eliezer to do ? 
* Where did Eliezer go ? 

s What prayer did he make to God at the well of the town ? 
6 What did the maiden who came to the well do, when Eliezer 
nsked her for a drink of water from her Ditcher ? 



Isaac's marriage. 59 

camels, and she filled the trough with water for 
the camels. Hereupon Eliezer knew at once T that 
God had given grace unto his journey, 8 and he 
took a golden head band and two golden bracelets, 
gave them to the damsel, and said : 9 tell me, my 
daughter, whose child art thou, and is there 
room in thy father's house for me and my camels. 
The maiden answered and said, I am Rebecca, 
the daughter of Bethuel, and the grand-daughter 
of Nahor; with us there is room enough, and 
straw in plenty. 10 Hereupon Rebecca hastened 
home and showed the presents which she had 
received from the strange man. But, in the 
meantime, Eliezer thanked the Lord that every- 
thing had thus far gone acording to his wishes. 
The eldest brother of Rebecca, whose name 
was Laban, now went out without delay unto 
the well, greeted the stranger, and said, u come in, 
thou blessed of the Lord ; wherefore standeth 
thou without? I have already prepared every- 
thing for thee. He led the servant of Abraham 
into the house and had a meal dressed and set 
before him. But Eliezer said : 12 I cannot eat 

7 What did Eliezer know from her answer ? 

8 "What did he give as presents to the kind damsel? 
8 What did he ask her ? 

10 What did Eebecca show, when she had hastened home ? 

n What did Laban, the eldest brother of Rebecca, say to the 
servant of Abraham after he had greeted him ? 

12 What did E iezer say when the meal was dressed and set 
before them ? 



00 Isaac's marriage. 

until I shall have told my errand, and he at once 
asked Rebecca in marriage, for Isaac the son of 
his master. Thereupon they answered him, and 
said, 13 the thing proceedeth from the Lord, there- 
fore we can say nothing against it. And they 
promised him the maiderv He now gave differ- 
ent kinds of precious things as presents, and 
they did eat and drink, with cheerfulness. On 
the following morning he wanted to leave at 
once with the affianced bride of Isaac; but the 
mother and the brother said : 14 Let her remain 
with us a few days longer ; but Eliezer prayed 
that they would not detain him, 15 in order that 
he might return to his master in haste. Then 
they, asked Rebecca : wilt thou go with this 
man? and when she answered them, and said : 
yes, I will go, they gave her the following bles- 
sing : 16 Thou art our sister, may the Lord grant 
unto thee a numerous and h-appy posterity. 
Rebecca with her maidens now arose, mounted 
the camels, and went away towards the south, 
where Isaac dwelt. One evening the latter was 
walking for recreation and meditation, when he 
»aw from afar camels coming. Rebecca observed 

13 What answer did he receive ? 

14 What did the mother and the brother say, when Eliezer was 
about to return home on the following morning with the affianced 
bride ? 

is Why did Eliezer pray that they would not detain him ? 
18 With what blessing did Rebecca deoart from her kindred ? 



ISAACS MARRIAGE. 



61 



dim, and asked Eliezer, " What man is there ? 
and he answered, " that is my master." Here- 
upon she at once alighted from the camel and 
covered herself with a veil. But when Isaac 
had learned all the circumstances, he led her 
into the tent of his mother, and she became his 
wife and he loved her. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Kighteous parents take care of the happiness of 
their children's whole lives ; how highly therefore 
ought children to honor their parents ! 

2. Civility and kindness cost but little and will make 
you beloved of every one. 

3. Never oppose the will of God. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Oh give, at each new task and deed, 
A prayer to God'a eternal throne ; 

And should the work through him succeed, 
All honor to the Lord alone. 

A prayer when labor is begun, 

And praises when the task is done. 

Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all to prayer 



62 Abraham's old age a.nd death. 

STORY 13. 

£Gra(jam's £)fb ilge anb Deatlj. 

In the year of the world 2183, and 1821 before Christ. 



Abraham also rendered himself most estima- 
ble by not having, as was the custom of the 
times and the land in which he dwelt, more 
than one wife at a time. Even in this thing we 
recognize the man who did only that which was 
in accordance with the advice and intention 
of God. After the death of Sarah he took a 
second wife hiamed Ketura, 2 and she bore him six 
other sons. But 3 Isaac was the sole inheritor of 
his estate : 4 to the other sons he gave considera- 
ble presents, 5 and during his life sent them away 
from Isaac into the east. This was not done 
because he loved Isaac better than the rest of 
his sons, but in obedience to the express com- 
mand of God. Hereupon he expired and died 
in a good old age, contented and full of years; 
6 for he had lived one hundred and seventy-five 
years. With filial love, his sons Isaac and 

1 What was the name of Abraham's second wife ? 

2 How many sons did she bear unto him ? 

3 Who was the sole inheritor of the estates of Abraham ? 

4 What did Abraham give to his other sons ? 
' What did he send them before his death ? 

' How old was Abraham when he died? 



Abraham's old age and death. 68 

Ismael buried him in the double-cave which he 
had bought, together with the field around it, 
from Ephron, and where his wife Sarah also 
lay buried. But after his death 7 God blessed 
Isaac and fulfilled in him all the promises he had 
made. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Honor thy parents even after death, and follow 
their good example. Then thou wilt not fail to have 
the blessing of God. 

2. Death leads the righteous to a brighter world, 
and therefore the righteous need not fear death. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

I know not when, or how or where, 

My death may chance to be ; 
But this I know, I have no care 

My Saviour is with me. 
When one who e'er has loved me here, 

Above my grave shall bend ; 
Oh Lord ! then dry the mourner's tear, 

The pious faithful friend. 

Acts ii. 26, 27. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and 
my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall 
rest in hope : Because thou wilt not leave my soul in 
hell, neither wilt thou suffer thy Holy one to see 
corruption. 

7 What did God do to Isaac after Abraham's death ? 



64 Isaac's twin-sons esau and jacob. 
STORY 14. 

3saac's tratn=sons (fsau anb 3aco0. 

In the year of the world 2245, and 1760 before Christ. 
Genesis, Chap. XXV., XXVIL 

Rebecca, the wife of Isaac, bare him twins, x of 
whom the first born was named Esau and the 
other Jacob. When the boys had grown up 
Esau became a hunter, who went about in the 
fields, but Jacob was fond of a quiet home. 
2 And Isaac loved Esau greatly because he ate 
of the venison which his son killed. 3 On the 
contrary Rebecca preferred Jacob. It came to 
pass one day that Esau came back from hunting, 
just as Jacob had prepared a pottage of red len- 
tiles : 4 Let me eat of that red pottage, for I am 
tired, said Esau unto his brother. 5 Willingly, 
answered Jacob. But he wanted to take advan- 
tage of this opportunity for his own benefit, so 
he proposed to Esau 6 that he should sell to him 

1 What were the names of the twins which Rebecca bare unto 
[saac ? 

2 Which of his sons did Isaac love greatly? 

3 Who preferred Jacob ? 

4 What did Esau, as he came back one day hungry from the 
chase, say to his brother Jacob, who had just prepared a pottage 
of lentiles ? 

6 What answer did he make to Esau's request? 
6 What proposal did he make to Esau ? 



ISAAC'S TWIN-SONS ESAU AND JACOB. 



65 



his birth right and with it the accompanying 
right to the largest share of the paternal estates ; 
for this sometimes happened between brothers. 
Esau consented and said : 7 what is the birth right 
to me, I must die one day, and he swore an 
oath and relinquished his heritage unto Jacob. 
Esau ate and drank, and stood up and went his 
way and thought no more of his birth-right. 

"When after these things, Isaac had grown old, 
s he lost his sight, and as he believed that he had 
not long to live, 9 he wished to give his favorite 
his fatherly blessing. He therefore spake unto 
Esau, and said, 10 Take thy weapons, thy 
quiver and thy bow, and go into the field and 
kill for me some venison and make me savoury 
meat, such as I like, and bring it unto me, after 
that, I will bless thee before I die. u Rebecca 
heard these words and bethought her how she 
might cause the blessing to fall upon her favor- 
ite son. So after Esau had gone hunting, she 
said unto Jacob, 12 Go quickly, and bring me two 
good kids from the herd, so that I may make for 
thy father a meal such as he likes; and thou 
shalt bring it unto him, that he may bless thee 

7 What did Esau say to the proposal of Jacob ? 

8 What did Isaac lose when he had grown old ? 

9 What did he wish to give to his favorite before his death ? 

10 What did he therefore say unto Esau ? 

11 Who wanted to caus<r the blessing to fall upon Jacob ? 

12 What did his mother therefore say unto Jacob ? 

6* 



G6 Isaac's twin-sons esau and jacob. 

before his death. But Jacob thought this dan- 
gerous, and said: 13 Esau has a hairy skin, but 
mine is smooth, my father may therefore easily 
notice the deception and instead of a blessing I 
may receive his curse. But his mother answered 
him and said: u The curse be upon me, my son, 
do thou only obey my voice. Jacob did as she 
had said unto him. And when the meal was 
ready, she dressed Jacob in his brother's best 
clothes, and placed the skin of the kids upon his 
hands and around his neck. When he had come 
unto his blind father, he asked him 15 who art 
thou, my son ? Jacob answered him, and said : 
l6 I am Esau, thy first-born, sit up and eat of 
my venison that thy soul may bless me. Isaac 
said : 17 how hast thou f jund game so quickly, my 
son ? and Jacob answered : 18 the Lord thy God 
brought it to me. Isaac now observed that some- 
thing was wrong, and he made Jacob stretch 
out his hands that he might feel them. When 
he found that they were hairy, he said, suspici- 
ously : 19 The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the 
hands are the hands of Esau, and he asked him : 

13 What answer did Jacob give his mother ? 

14 How did his mother satisfy him ? 

15 What did Isaac ask, when Jacob had come unto him T 

16 What answer did he give his father ? 

17 What more did Isaac ask ? 

18 What answer di d Jacob make ? 

19 What did Isaac say when he had felt Jacob ? 



ISAAC'S TWIN-SONS ESAU AND JACOB. 67 

Art thou Esau? Jacob answered, Yes, I am 
he. Then the blind father did eat of the meat 
and drink of the wine, which Jacob had set be- 
fore him. When he had eaten, he said : Come 
hither, my son, and kiss me. Jacob did so ; and 
when his father had smelled the smell of his 
garments, he no longer doubted that it was really 
his son Esau, and ^he gave him his hearty 
blessing. But Jacob had hardly gone out, with 
the stolen blessing, when Esau returned from 
the chase, prepared meat, and brought it unto 
his father. Isaac was terrified beyond measure, 
and said : 21 thy brother came with subtlety and 
hath taken away thy blessing, and he will re- 
main blessed. 22 Esau began to weep, and said : 
hast thou only one blessing, my father ? ^Bless 
me also I pray thee. This, indeed, his father 
did, but he could not take back the superiority 
which he had given unto Jacob, and therefore 
Esau was angry with his brother, and ^threat- 
ened to kill him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 
1. We ought never to take an undue advantage of the 
trouble of others, as Jacob did of the hunger of Esau. 

20 What did Isaac give unto Jacob after he had eaten ? 

21 What did he say when Esau brought him meat ? 

22 What did Esau do when he had heard the words of his father? 

23 What did Esau beg of his father ? 

24 What did he threaten to do to Jacob because of the blessing 
which te had taken from him ? 



68 THE VISION OF JACOB'S LADDER. 

2. It is in the highest degree wrong to deceive any 
one, but most shameful to delude one's own parents. 

3. We ought never, even when injured by another, 
to think of revenge. 



PIOUS THOUGHTS 

Oh hear the prayer, I ask of thee 

Thou faithful guide of youth. 
Oh Grant my Lord, my God to me, 

Thy righteousness and truth! 
I thank thee Lord for all of life, 
And pray, it still be free from strife, 
That thy bright Spirit may remain 
Till I thy glory shall attain. 

Psalms cxxxiii. 1. Behold, how good and how 
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity 1 



STORY 15. 

&(}e Uiston of 3acoG's £abber. 

Genesis, Chap. XXVIII. 

From this time forth, Jacob lived in the fear 
of death, for his brother had threatened to slay 
him. Truly Esau was not angry without a 
cause ; but to forgive a brother, is more praise- 
worthy and pleasing in the sight of God, than 
to be in anger with him. But as Esau had not 
this brotherly feeling, his mother advised Jacob 



THE VISION" OF JACOB'S LADDER. 69 

and said unto him : 1 arise and flee unto Haran 
to my brother Laban. Remain there until thy 
brother's wrath be turned away and he has for- 
gotten what thou hast done unto him. His old 
father was satisfied, and sent him away with 
the words, 2 God Almighty bless thee. Jacob 
arose and went from Beer-sheba where his 
parents dwelt, to betake himself unto Haran to 
his uncle ; and he came to a certain place, where 
he was obliged to stay all night, for the sun had 
set. He laid down in the open air, and one of 
the stones which he found in that place served 
him for a pillow. 3 And as he lay upon his hard 
couch he was refreshed by a lovely dream ; 4 for 
he saw a ladder which rested upon the earth, 
its top reaching to heaven : and the angels of 
the Lord ascended and descended on it. But 
the Lord God stood above it and said : 5 I, the 
Lord, the God of Abraham from whom thou art 
descended, and the God of Isaac, will give unto 
thee and thy posterity the Land on which thou 
liest. Thy seed shall be without number as the 
dust of the earth, and shall spread abroad to the 

1 What advice did Rebecca give to Jacob, who lived in fear 
of death on account of his brother ? 

2 With -what words did his father send Jacob away ? 

3 By what was Jacob refreshed as he lay in the open air upon 
a stone ? 

4 What did he see in his dream ? 
6 What did God say unto him ? 



70 THE VISION OF JACOB'S LADDER. 

west and to the east and to the north and to 
south, and through thee shall all the genera- 
tions of the earth be blessed. Jacob awoke 
and said : 6 Surely the Lord is in this place, and 
I knew it not. How holy, he continued, full of 
the deepest reverence — how holy is this place ! 
This is none other but the house of God, and 
this is the gate of heaven, and he rose up early 
in the morning, took the stone, upon which he 
had dreamed the splendid dream, 7 consecrated it 
as a monument and poured oil upon it ; and he 
named the place Bethel, meaning, the house 
of God. When he had done these things he 
made a vow saying : 8 If the Lord will be with 
me and keep me, so that I come again in peace 
to my father's house, then shall I make of this 
monument a house of God. 



USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. If you feel with penitence the consequences of 
your errors, you need not despair. The penitent also 
are preserved by a pardoning grace. 

2. Even in solitude God is with thee. May this 
thought keep thee true to virtue, and comfort thee in 
the hour of danger. 

6 What did Jacob say when he awoke ? 

7 As what, did he consecrate the stone upon which he had had 
the dream ? 

8 What vow did he make ? 



JACOB'S DOUBLE MAERIAGB. 71 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Unto the glorious God on high, 
My spirit ever longs to mount , 

Who'll show the ladder of the sky 
The path to life's eternal fount ? 

My saviour points the heavenly way 

And bids me here no longer stay. 

James iv. 8. — Draw nigh to God, and he will draw 
nigh to you. 



STORY 16. 

OacoD's houQCe jftarrtage. 

Genesis, Chap. XXIX. 

1 Hereupon Jacob hastened on his way to 
Haran, where dwelt Laban the brother of his 
mother. When he was not far from this place, 
2 he met his future wife near a well, in the same 
manner as Eliezer had met Rebecca at a well, and 
he looked upon this occurrence as a happy omen. 
At this well the shepherds and shepherdesses of 
these parts were in the habit of watering their 
cattle, and when Jacob came there, several had 
already arrived. He asked them immediately : 
Beloved brethren, where are you from? From 
Haran, was the answer. Oh tell me, said Jacob, 

1 Where did Jacob go ? 

* Whom did he meet at the well ? 



72 Jacob's double marriage. 

do you know Laban ? Yes, we know him, thej) 
replied ; he is well, and behold, there cometh his 
daughter Rachel with her sheep. 3 Jacob im- 
mediately acted, as if he had known her for a 
long time ; he rolled the large stone from the 
opening of the well, and watered her sheep. 
Hereupon he made himself known to her, and 
wept with joy 4 to have found so near a relative 
so unexpectedly. 5 Rachel immediately hastened 
home and told her father that the son of his 
sister was at the well. 6 Full of joy Laban went 
out, embraced Jacob and took him into his house. 
The latter now was very comfortable with his 
uncle, but better than all he liked Rachel, for 
she was beautiful; but her older sister Leah was 
not so, as she had sore eyes. Jacob therefore 
wished to make Rachel his wife, but being with- 
out any fortune, and as it was then the custom 
to purchase the daughters from the parents in 
a manner, he made this proposal to Laban : 7 I 
will serve you seven years as a shepherd, if you 
will give me Rachel for a wife. To this the 
father willingly consented, 8 and the seven 
years appeared to Jacob like seven days, on ac- 

8 How did he act towai'ds Rachel ? 
4 What made him weep with joy? 
6 Who anounced Jacob to Laban ? 

6 What did Laban do, when he heard that Jacob was near? 

7 Jacob loving Rachel, what proposal did he make to Laban T 
• How did the seven years of service appear to Jacob ? 



Jacob's double marriage. 78 

count of his love for Rachel. And when the 
marriage feast was prepared, Laban brought 
Leah to Jacob instead of Rachel, and the latter 
did not observe the deception until the follow- 
ing morning, because the bride was brought 
veiled to the bridegroom. He now reproached 
her father and said : why hast thou done this 
unto me, have I not served thee seven years for 
Rachel ? Laban answered.: It is not the cus- 
tom of this country to marry the younger daugh- 
ter before the elder, at the same time he pro- 
posed to Jacob 9 to serve him seven years longer 
for Rachel. 10 Jacob consented, and thus he 
had two sisters for wives, it being not uncom- 
mon then for a man to have several ' wives. 
But the Lord gave several children unto Leah, 
and none unto Rachel. u This produced jealousy 
between the two sisters, ^and caused Jacob 
much trouble. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. All we do with a willing heart, is easy ; there- 
tore let us try to find something agreeable in every 
thing we have to do. 

2. Serve faithfully and diligently and have patience. 

9 What did Laban propose, after having beguiled him with 
Leah? 

10 How did Jacob receive Laban's proposal ? 

11 Leah having had several children and Rachel none, what 
arose among the sisters ? 

13 What did the jealousy of the two sisters cause unto Jacob ? 
1 



74 



JACOB WRESTLES WITH GOD. 



3. Our own sins often come home to us. Jacob 
had beguiled Esau of the paternal blessing, and Laban 
beguiled him of Eachel. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Who to his plighted vows and trust 

Has ever firmly stood ; 
And though he promise to his loss 

He makes his promise good. 

The man, who by this righteous course 

Has happiness ensured, 
"When earth's foundation shakes, shall stand, 

By Providence secured. 

Psalm ci. 2. — I will behave myself wisely in a 
perfect way; I will walk within my house with a 
perfect heart. 



STORY 17. 

OttcoO Ttfrcstfes uritf) $ob. Sis Reconciliation 
uritO £sau. 

Genesis, Chapters XXII., XXIII. 

Jacob then made a covenant with Laban for 
the wages he was to receive for serving him, 
x and they agreed that the spotted sheep should 
belong to Jacob, and when these increased very 
rapidly, 2 it aroused the avarice of Laban and 

1 What covenant did Jacob make with Laban for the wages ? 
* When the spotted sheep increased very fast what did this 
aronse ? 



Page 75. 



Story 17. 




Jacob and Esau are reconciled. 



76 



JACOB WRESTLES WITH GOD. 



of his sons, so that Jacob, after having lived 
twenty years with Laban, resolved to return 3 to 
the house of his father. He therefore departed 
taking with him his wives and his children and 
all the Lord had given unto him. As his herds 
were very numerous, the whole formed a long 
procession. 4 When he entered upon his journey 
he met angels of God, as a sign that the Al- 
mighty would protect him against Esau, to 
whom he wished to become reconciled, and he 
said : They are the hosts of God. After this 
he learned that 5 Esau was coming to meet him 
with four hundred men, at which he was 
alarmed, yet trusted he in God and in his prayer 
said to him ; 6 I am not worthy of the least of 
all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou 
hast showed unto thy servant, deliver me also 
from the hand of my brother, from Esau. 
Strengthened by this prayer, 7 he not only sent 
his brother rich presents of goods, sheep, camels 
and asses, 8 but he divided the remainder of his 
flocks into several parts, 9 thatin case Esau should 
smite one of them, the other might find time to 

3 What did Jacob therefore determine upon doing? 

4 Whom did he meet, when he had commenced his journey ? 

* What information did he receive ? 

6 How did he pray to God in his fcar ? 

7 What did he send to his brother Esau ? 

8 What did he do with his herds ? 

• Why did he divide them into several parts ? 



HIS RECONCILIATION WITH ESAU. 77 

escape. The following night, when Jacob 
was quite alone, something very strange occurred 
to him ; 10 for he wrestled with a man, and the 
man could not overcome him, although the 
combat lasted till day-break, yet Jacob dislocated 
one of his hips, and was obliged to limp for the 
rest of his life. And when the man wished to 
go forth, Jacob held him and said : U I shall not 
let thee go unless thou bless me. Hereupon the 
man answered: 12 Thou hast commenced thy cause 
with God and hast also showed human wisdom, 
thou wilt not succumb; and, at the same 
time, he said unto him : Thy name shall be 
called Jacob no more, but Israel ; for God will 
prevail. Further the man did not make himself 
known, but he blessed Jacob on that spot, and the 
latter observed that he had been more than a 
man ; therefore he exclaimed ; 13 I have seen God 
face to face, and my life is preserved. And when 
Jacob lifted up his eyes behold Esau came with 
his host, u and Jacob went to meet him, bowed 
himself to the ground seven times, and his wives 
and children also bowed themselves. 15 At this 

10 What happened the following night when Jacob was alone ? 

11 What did he say when the man was going away ? 
18 What answer did he receive ? 

13 What did he exclaim when he perceived that he had been 
visited by one wh o was more than a man ? 

14 What did he do when Esau approached ? 

15 Who was immediately moved ? 

7* 



78 JACOB WRESTLES WITH GOD. 

sight Esau was moved; 16 he ran up to Jacob, fell 
on his neck, and kissed him, and they both wept 
together, 17 Now the two brothers were recon- 
ciled. In the beginning Esau would not accept 
the presents intended for him, but at last Jacob 
persuaded him to do so, and he returned on the 
way he had come ; Jacob also continued his 
journey in peace. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. "When you are in distress, have recourse to 
prayer, and yon will be strengthened. 

2. Indemnification for wrong done, humility and 
love can soothe the most violent anger. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Consider that the righteous man 

Is God's peculiar choice ; 
And when to him I make my prayer, 

He always hears my voice. 

When down in peace I'll lay my head, 

And take my needful rest; 
No other guard, O Lord, I crave, 

Of thy defence possessed. 

/ Ghron. xvii. 27. — For, what thou blessest, OLord, 
that shall be blessed forever. 

16 How did Esau receive Jacob ? 

17 What were now the two brothers ? 



JOSEPH IS SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN. 79 

STORY 18. 

3osep(j is Soft) 6tj fjts DSretpren. 

{The year of the world 2776, before Christ 1728.) 



When Jacob, who was now called Israel also, 
returned from Haran to Mamre, he found his 
father still living : *but not long after he died at 
the age of one hundred and eighty years, and 
was buried by his two sons. 2 Jacob had twelve 
sons, and the one he loved best was Joseph, then 
seventeen years old, 3 for he hoped he would be 
the prop of his old age. He therefore not only 
appointed him an overseer over his brothers and 
their herds, 4 but also made him a costly coat of 
many colours. 5 But on this account his brothers 
began to hate him, and could not speak peaceably 
unto him ; 6 the principal reason of their hatred 
however was that he reported all the wrong 
they did to his father. And Joseph dreamed 
a dream, which he related unto his brothers. 

■ ' How old was Isaac when he died ? 

2 How many sons had Jacob ? 

8 Why did he love Joseph more than his other sons ? 

4 "What did he make for Joseph? 

s How was Joseph treated by his brothers ? 

6 What was probably the cause, that his brothers hated him 
so much? 



80 JOSEPH IS SOLD BY HIS BEETHREN. 

Hear, I pray you, what I have dreamed: 7 I 
thought we were binding sheaves in the field, 
and Jo, my sheaf arose and stood upright, but 
your sheaves made obeisance to my sheaf. 
Then his brothers said : 8 What is this, art thou 
to be our king, and rule over us ? Soon after, he 
had another dream, which he told again to his 
brothers, saying: Behold, I have had another 
dream : 9 the sun, the moon, and eleven stars 
made "obeisance to me ; meaning his father and 
his brothers. But the father rebuked him and 
said : 10 What means the dream which thou hast 
had ? Shall I and thy mother and thy brothers 
come and honor thee as our master. But the 
father remembered the dream. After this the 
brothers were pasturing the flocks of their father 
at Shechem, and Jacob said unto Joseph : n Go 
and see if it is well with thy brethren, and the 
herds, and let me know when thou returnest. 
The good father, at this time, probably did not 
imagine that he was to lose Joseph for so long a 
time, and should even mourn him as dead. When 
the brothers saw Joseph approach, they said with 



7 What dream did he tell them ? 

8 What did they say of the dream ? 

9 What second dream did he tell his brothers ? 

10 How did Jacob rebuke him ? 

11 What did Jacob say to him when his brothers pastured 
their flocks at Shechem ? 



JOSEPH SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN". 81 

derision and full of cruelty : 12 Behold the 
dreamer cometh ; come, let us slay him ! But 
Ruben, the eldest brother, was opposed to this, 
and spoke : 13 Do not let us shed our brother's 
blood; rather throw him into the pit in the 
wilderness here, only do not lay hands on him. 
Ruben however said this with the intention 14 of 
taking him secretly out of the pit and restoring 
him to his father. The brothers consented to 
this proposal ; they stripped him of his many- 
coloured coat, and cast him into the water-pit, 
but which at that time, was empty. Hereupon 
they sat down and ate together as cheerfully as 
if they had done some good deed. Whilst they 
were at their meal, behold 15 some merchants 
with camels passed by, and Judah, one of the 
brothers, said : 16 Why shall Joseph perish 
slowly in the pit ? Let us rather sell him as a 
slave. The rest of the brothers obeyed his 
voice ; "Joseph was drawn up and sold for about 
ten dollars. Ruben knew nothing of this ; 
" 8 Some time • after he came to the pit to take 
Joseph out. When he did not find him, he 

12 What did the brothers say, when they saw Joseph ? 
ls . What was Ruben's proposal ? 

14 Why did he advise his brothers-, to throw Joseph into a pit ? 

15 What happened, whilst Joseph's brothers ate their meal ? 
" What did Judah say? 

17 How was Joseph sold by his brethren ? 

18 What did Euben do, who was not aware of the sale? 



82 JOSEPH SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN. 

hastened back to his brothers, exclaimed and 
said : 19 The boy is not there, what will become 
of me ? 20 But the other brothers killed a he-goat, 
took Joseph's many coloured coat, steeped it 
into it and sent it to the father with these 
words : This coat we have found, look, if it be 
the coat of your son or not. The father knew 
it immediately, and exclaimed : 21 Yes, it is the 
coat of my son. Oh ! a wild beast has devoured 
him ; a wild beast has rent Joseph to pieces ! And 
all his sons and daughters arose to comfort him, 
but he would not be comforted, and spoke : 22 I 
shall mourn, till I go down into the grave, to my 
son, for a father's heart bleeds for him. 23 In the 
mean time the merchants brought Joseph to 
Egypt and sold him to 24 Potiphar, who was an 
officer at the court of the king of Egypt. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. No child should seek to be preferred by its 
parents to its brothers and sisters, or should rejoice 
when it is done ; for this has always evil consequences. 

2. A child should never excite the envy and hatred 
of its brothers and sisters, but should strive to avoid it 

19 What did he say to his brothers when he did not find 
Joseph ? 

20 What did the other brother do then? 

21 What did Jacob exclaim at the sight of the coat ? 

22 What did he say, when they wanted to comfort him ? 

23 Where did Joseph go with the merchants ? 

24 To whom did they sell bim ? 



JOSEPH IS IMPRISONED. 8d 

3. One sin seldom remains alone, it always ushers 
in otters. Therefore be on your guard against 
every sin. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Consider my affliction, Lord, 

And me from bondage draw ; 
Think on thy servant in distress, 

Who ne'er forgets thy law. 

Defend my course, and me to save 

Thy timely aid afford; 
With beams of mercy quicken men 

According to thy word. 

Psalm v. 6. — Thou shalt destroy them that speak 
lies : the Lord will abhor both the blood-thirsty and 
deceitful man. 



STORY 19. 

OosepO is imprisoned Oecause Ije moufb not sin. 

Genesis, Chap. XXXIX. 

Joseph was now a slave in the house of Poti 
Dhar, *but God was with him and looked gra- 
ciously upon him, so that his master placed him 
over every thing, and troubled himself about 
nothing but what he liked to eat and drink. 
From that time forward, the Lord also blessed 
the house of Potiphar for Joseph's sake, the 

1 How did Joseph fare in the beginning in Potiphar's house ? 



84 JOSEPH IS IMPRISONED, 

blessings of the Lord were on the house and the 
fields. Joseph was very handsome. The wife 
of Potiphar tried to persuade him 2 to sin with 
her, but he would not consent, and said : 3 How 
should I do this great wickedness, and sin against 
God ? However, she continued to tempt him 
every day ; 4 but Joseph remained true to his 
pious purpose, and avoided her as much as he 
could. When once he came home to attend to 
his business, and did not know that the wife of 
his master was quite alone, she seized him by 
his garment and spoke again : Come, do what 
I wish. But Joseph refused, left the garment 
which she had seized in her hand, and fled out 
of the house. 6 When she saw that all was in vain 
she called together the servants of the house and 
said : Behold, what a man my husband has 
brought into the house. He came into me, and 
wanted to seduce me. But 1 cried aloud, and 
he fled leaving his garment behind. The same 
story sh^ told Potiphar, 6 who, wroth against 
Joseph, had him cast into prison, where were 
the king's prisoners. But the Lord does not for- 

2 To what did Potiphar's wife wish to persuade him ? 

3 What did Joseph say, who did not consent to do evil ? 

4 What did he do, when Potiphar's wicked wife wanted to 
lead him into sin? 

6 How did she revenge herself on Joseph, because he had 
refused her? 

WbM did Potiphar do, when he heard his wife's story ? 



BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT SIN. 85 

sake the inocent ; for behold, 7 he directed the 
heart of the overseer of the prison, that Joseph 
found favor in his eyes, and he placed bim 
over all the prisoners, and let him attend to all 
that was wanted, without troubling himself 
about it. So great was the confidence, he had 
placed in him, and the Lord was with him, and 
made all that he did to prosper. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Though a child be separated from his father and 
mother, if it remains pious and good, God will not 
forsake it. 

2. The high-minded man in temptation thinks only 
Df God, only looks to the approbation of God, and flees 
from the company of wicked men. 

3. Virtue may bring upon us persecution and dis- 
tress, but God is the protector of the pious. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

How shall the young preserve their way 

From all pollution free? 
By making still their course of life 

With thy commands agree. 

With hearty zeal for thee I seek, 

To thee for succour pray ; 
O suffer not my careless steps 

From thy right paths to stray. 

Eccl. ii. 1. My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, 
prepare thy soul for temptation. 

* How did God direct the hearts of the overseer? 
3 



86 JOSEPH IS DELIVERED OUT OF PRISON" 



STORY 20. 

3osepfj is befiuereb out of prison onb raise!) to 
(jigO Ijonor. 

Genesis, Chap. XL., XLI. 

1 After Joseph had been a considerable time in 
prison, two of the king's officers, the chief of 
the butlers and the chief of the bakers, excited 
the displeasure of the king, and were put in the 
same prison with Joseph. One morning when 
he went into them he found them very sad, and 
asked them : 2 Why are you so sad to-day ? 3 We 
have had a dream, was their reply, and there is 
no body here to interpret it for us. Joseph spoke : 
The interpretation of dreams belongs to God, 
but let me hear. Then the chief butler spoke : 
*I dreamed that there was a vine before me, 
which had three ripe bunches of grapes, but I 
had the cup of the king in my hand and pressed 
the juice of the grapes into the cup and gave it 
into the hand of the king. Joseph immediately 
received the interpretation from God, and said : 
5 The three bunches are three days, after 

1 What happened one day, after Joseph had been a long time 
in prison? 
8 What did he ask his sad companions ? 
3 What did they auswer ? 
* What did the chief-butler relate to him ? 
6 How did Joseph, by the help of God, interpret tne dream t 



Story 20 




Joseph and the officers of the court. 



88 



AND RAISED TO HIGH HONOR. 



three days Pharaoh will lift up thy head and 
restore thee to thine office. At the same time 
he added : Think of me when it shall be well 
with thee, that Pharaoh may liberate me, for 
I am innocent. And when the chief baker heard 
this interpretation, he also told his dream and 
said : 7 I was carrying on my head three white 
baskets, and in the uppermost one there were all 
sorts of bake-meats for Pharaoh, but the birds 
ate it from off my head. This Joseph also 
interpreted immediately as follows : Three 
baskets signify three days; in three days the 
king will have thee hung on the gallows, and 
the birds will eat thy flesh ; and behold tnree 
days after, when the king celebrated his birth- 
day, both dreams were fulfilled : 9 for the chief 
cup bearer was restored to his office, and the 
chief baker was hanged. But when it was well 
again with the cup-bearer, he forgot poor Joseph. 
At the end of two years the king also had a 
double dream. 10 In the first he saw seven fine 
fat cows come out of the stream, which were 
followed by seven ugly, lean cows, and the 
lean cows devoured the fat ones, and yet re- 
mained as lean as before. The king awoke, 

6 What did he ask of the cup-bearer ? 

7 What dream did the chief-baker relate ? 

8 What was Joseph's interpretation of the same ? 
• How were these dreams fulfilled ? 

10 What dreams had the king two years after ? 



JOSEPH IS DELIVERED OUT OF PRISON 89 

but fell asleep again, and saw in his dream seven 
fine fall ears grow on one stalk, and after them 
there grew up seven thin and blasted ears, which 
devoured the full ones. And when in the morn- 
ing, the king awoke, he was troubled in his mind 
on account cf these two dreams, and sent for all 
the magicians and wise men of the land, n but no 
one could interpret them for him. 12 Now the cup- 
bearer remembered Joseph, and said to Pharaoh : 
When I was under thy displeasure, and lay in 
prison, I became acquainted with a Hebrew 
youth, who had the faculty of interpreting 
dreams. 13 Joseph was immediately sent for, and 
as soon as he stood before the king, and had 
heard the dreams, he said : 14 God makes known 
to the king his intention ; the seven fat cows 
and seven fat ears, are seven fruitful years : and 
the seven lean cows and blasted ears are seven 
years of famine, which shall come after the fruit- 
ful years. 15 Now the king should look out for a 
man discreet and wise, who in the years of plenty 
should garner the surplus of grain for the seven 
years of famine. The king liked his proposal, 
and seeing that Joseph was a discreet man, i6 he 
made him commander in chief over all Egypt, 

11 Which of the magicians could interpret the king's dream ? 

12 Of whom did the cup-bearer think now ? 

13 What happened when the king heard of Joseph ? 

14 What did Joseph say, when he stood before the king ? 

15 What proposition d d he make to the king? 
v Bw did the king reward him ? 

8* 



90 AND EAISED TO HIGH HONOE. 

so that he was next to the king. And he took 
the ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's 
finger and arrayed him in vestures of white 
silk ; put a gold chain about his neck, and made 
him ride in his chariot, and they cried before 
him : "This is the father of the land. Joseph 
was thirty years of age, when these honors were 
showered upon him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Severe sufferings often lead to higher joys. 

2. We should never despair, no matter how long 
our troubles last, but bear them with resignation and 
piety, for one day they will change to happiness. 

3. The safest road to earthly happiness is, to exert 
ourselves to become very pious and intelligent, for 
thus we shall be pleasing both to God and .man. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Praise to the sovereign of the sky, 

Who from his lofty throne, 
Looks with compassion on the poor, 

And makes their cause his own. 
Should kindred, near and dear, forsake, 

Or friends and parents die ; 
God lives, and blessed be his name, 
Can well the want :upply. 
Psalm Ixxiii 23, 24. Nevertheless I am continually 
with thee : thou hast holden me by my right hand. 
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward 
receive me to glory. 

17 What was cried before Joseph, when he rode in the king's 
chariot ? 



JOSEPH'S BROTHERS VISIT 91 

STORY 91. 

3osep0's Orolfjers oistt Egnpt burtna t8e famine 

Genesis, Chap. XLII. XLIII. 

The years of want, prophesied by the Lord, 
appeared, a and famine also spread over the land 
of Canaan, where Jacob dwelt. 2 And when he 
heard that corn could be had in Egypt, he sent 
his sons, to buy some ; but Benjamin, the brother 
of Joseph, he would not allow to accompany 
them, 3 fearing some accident might happen to 
him. In Egypt Joseph was in charge of all the 
grain and sold it to all the people of the land. 
When the sons of Jacob were referred to him, 
they bowed before him with their faces to the 
earth. 4 Joseph recognized them immediately, 
but they did not know that he was their brother 
whom they had sold. Even his language did 
not betray him, for he always used an inter- 
preter when he conversed with them. When 
they lay thus on their knees before him, 5 Joseph 
thought of his dream, in which the sheaves of 

1 Over what land did the famine spread also ? 

2 Where did Jacob hear that corn could be bought ? 

3 Why would Jacob not allow Benjamin to accompany his 
brothers ? 

4 What happened when Jacob's sons came to Egypt ? 

6 Of what did Joseph think when his brothers lay before him 
apou their knees ? 



Story 21. 



Page 92. 




Joseph's brothers come to Egypt. 



EGYPT HIKING THE FAMINE. 93 

his brothers bowed down before his sheaf. But 
he did not make himself known to them, 6 wishing 
first to ascertain what sentiments they enter- 
tained towards their father and his brother. 
Therefore he spoke harshly to them and said : 
7 Whence come ye? no doubt you are spies. 
Hereupon they assured him : 8 We are honest 
people, and together are twelve sons of one man 
in Canaan ; but Joseph asked immediately : I see 
only ten, where are the remaining two ? They 
answered that the youngest was at home with 
his father, but the other was no more. There- 
upon, Joseph said : 9 I am certain ye are spies ; 
I shall keep you as prisoners, except one, who 
is to go home and bring the youngest brother; 
for thereby shall I know if ye are spies or not. 
They now were frightened very much, and said 
to one another in their own language : This is 
the punishment for what we have done to our 
brother, when we saw the anguish of his soul, 
and he prayed to us and we would not hear him. 
n When they spoke thus, Joseph's eyes filled 
with tears, so that he was obliged to turn away. 
And for three days he kept his brothers, 12 but 

6 Why did he not immediately make himself known to them ? 

7 How did he address them ? 

8 What did his brothers say to him ? 

9 What answer did he make them ? 

10 What did his brothers say in their fear ? 

11 What happened to Joseph when he heard what they sa'd ? 



94 Joseph's brothers visit 

on the third day he retained Simon alone as a 
prisoner, and the others were allowed to depart. 
13 But behold when they poured out the grain, 
each found the amount of money paid for it, in 
his sack ; for Joseph had ordered it to be put 
there, hoping that this would hasten their re- 
turn to Egypt. The sons as well as the father 
were greatly alarmed at this, and did not know 
what to think. When the corn was consumed 
he was obliged to send them to Egypt a second 
time; 14 but they would not go without their 
brother Benjamin, for, said they, the man en- 
joined this upon us, saying: You shall not see 
my countenance unless your brother be with 
you. The father however did not wish to let 
him go ; 15 but when Judah at last became surety 
for him, he consented, and Benjamin went 
down with them into Egypt : As soon as they 
arrived, they wanted to restore to the steward of 
Joseph's house, the money they had found in 
their sacks. But he would not take it, saying : 
16 I have already received your money ; your 
God and the God of your fathers may have put 

12 Whom did Joseph retain, when he dismissed his br&thers ? 

13 What did each of the brothers find on opening his sack ? 

14 Under what condition alone would the sons of Jacob 
consent to go a second time to Egypt? 

15 Who became surety for the return of Benjamin ? 

16 What did the steward of Joseph say, when Jacob's sons 
wanted to give him the money they had fouud ? 



EGYPT DUKING THE FAMINE. 95 

a treasure into your sacks. "After this Joseph 
saluted them kindly, and asked immediately: 
18 How fares your aged father, is he well ? They 
answered : Thy servant, our father, is well, and 
they bowed before him and fell on their knees. 
But when he perceived Benjamin, he said : Is 
that your youngest brother, of whom you have 
spoken to me ? and he said further : 19 God be 
merciful unto thee, my son. And Joseph 
hastened away to his sleeping apartments, to 
hide his feelings, 20 for his heart yearned towards 
his brother, and he wept. Soon after he came 
out again and ordered a feast to b'e prepared that 
his brothers might eat with him. 21 But de- 
signedly he placed them in the order in which 
they were born, a circumstance which astonished 
them. They sat, however, at a separate table, 
as the Egyptians did not eat with the Hebrews; 
but the dishes were carried to them from 
Joseph's table, 22 and Benjamin received fivfc 
times as much of every thing as the others. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The justice of God frequently visits sinners al- 
ready in this life. 

17 How did Joseph receive his brothers ? 

18 What did he ask them ? 

19 What did he. say to Benjamin ? 

20 What were Joseph's feelings towards his bro! her ? 
* How did he place his brothers at table ? 

How was Benjamin treated at the feast ? 



96 JACOB MAKES HIMSELF 

2. Whoever returneth good for evil unto his enemies, 
creates for himself the greatest enjoyment. 

3. Conscience may remain dormant for a long time, 
but it is sure to awaken at the right period and to 
torment the sinner. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS 

If peace of conscience here on earth, 

My God and father I enjoy, 
I fear not famine, sword nor dearth, 

Am happy here without alloy ; 
Nature no terror has for me, 
I tremble not but trust in thee. 

Wisdom of Solomon, xvii. 10, 11. For wickedness, 
condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and 
being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth 
grievous things. 



STOEY 22. 

3osep0 mafies Oimscff (mourn to (jts 6rot(jers. 

Genesis, Chapters XLIV., XLV. 

But the joy of the brothers did not last long, 
for in the morning when they had scarcely left 
the town, Joseph's steward hastened after them, 
and brought them to an account, saying: Why 
have you returned evil for good, and taken with 

1 What did Joseph's steward say when he overtook his 
brothers ? 



KNOWN TO HIS BEOTHEES. 97 

you my master's silver cup. Joseph himself had 
had this placed in the sack of the youngest on top 
of the corn, 2 because he wanted to try his brothers 
once more, if they would rather lose their own 
liberty, or leave the youngest brother behind, and 
plunge their father into grief and sorrow. When 
the steward accused them of this theft, they had a 
good conscience, and said boldly : 3 with whom- 
soever the cup is found, he shall die the death, 
and the others shall be the slaves of Joseph. 
The steward searched the sacks, one after the 
other, 4 and the cup was found in the sack of the 
youngest. The brothers did not know how this 
had happened, therefore in their sorrow, they rent 
their garments, and returned again to the city. 
When they had arrived and were on their 
knees before Joseph, the latter addressed them 
thus: 5 How could you have attempted this, 
do you not know that a man like me can also 
divine what is hidden ? They could say nothing 
to excuse themselves, but Judah spoke for all of 
them, and said : 6 God visits the iniquity of thy 
servants ; behold, we are all my lord's servants, 
we and he with whom the cup was found. But 

8 Why had Joseph caused his cup to be put into the sack of 
the youngest of his brothers ? 

3 What answer did Joseph's brothers give to the steward ? 

4 Where was the cup found ? 

s How did Joseph address his brothers when they came back ? 
« What did Judah say ? 



98 JACOB MAKES HIMSELF 

Joseph spoke : 7 God forbid, that I should do so ; 
the man with whom the cup was found, shall 
be my servant; but as for you, go up in peace to 
your father. At this no one was more alarmed 
than Judah, because he had become surety for 
Benjamin with his father. 8 He therefore im- 
plored Joseph to keep him as a servant, instead 
of the youngest brother, for that if they returned 
home without him, they would bring down his 
grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. But 
Joseph could restrain himself no longer, but 
ordered all his servants to go out, that no one 
might know, how his brothers had acted to- 
wards him, and then said to them : 9 I am Joseph 
your brother. 10 They were silent and troubled 
at his presence ; but he told them to come near 
to him, and said: n Yes, I am Joseph, whom you 
sold ; but be not grieved on that account, and 
think not that I am angry with you ; for to 
preserve your lives God has sent me hither. 
And he added; 12 we shall have five dear 
years more, therefore go home immediately, 
and bring your father to Egypt, and T shall 

7 "What did Joseph reply to Judah ? 

8 What favor did Judah ask of Joseph ? 

9 What did Joseph say, when his servants had gone oci* 

10 How did Joseph's brothers behave, when they learne* 4 that 
Le was their brother ? 

11 How did Joseph pacify his brothers ? 

'■ What did Joseph say when his servants had gone out * 



KNOWN TO HIS BROTHERS. 99 

provide for you amply in the land of Goshen. 
"Hereupon he fell on the neck of his brother 
Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept also. 
u He now presented each of his brothers 
with changes of raiment, but to Benjamin he 
gave five such changes and three hundred 
pieces of silver. To his father he sent 15 ten 
asses and ten she-asses, with grain and all sorts 
of goods from Egypt, and at the command of 
Pharaoh he also sent wagons for him to bring 
him to Egypt. Then he allowed his brothers 
to depart, but admonished them and said: 
16 Do not quarrel on the way. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whoever is conscious of his innocence, can 
quietly listen to accusations and does not fear any in- 
vestigation. 

2. Even the misdeeds of man, God directs to a good 
object ; but this forms no excuse for the sinner. 

3. The good man does not seek vengeance, he par- 
dons and does good unto those, who have done him 
evil. Eevenge is neither beautiful nor sweet, it leaves 
a sting, repentance, in our conscience. 



13 IIow did Joseph show his affection towards Benjamin ? 
11 "What present did he make to his brothers ? 

15 What did he send to his father ? 

16 How did he admonish his brothers on parting ? 



LOO JACOB GOES TO EGYPT, WHERE HE DIES. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

When e'er the angry passions rise, 

And tempt our thoughts or tongues to strife 
On Jesus let us fix our eyes, 

Bright pattern of a christian life. 
O how benevolent, how kind ! 

How mild, how ready to forgive, 
Be this the tempter of our mind, 

And these the rules by which we live. 

Matth. v. 44, 45. Love your enemies, bless them 
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and 
pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute 
you ; that ye may be the children of your father which 
is in heaven : for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil 
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on 
the unjust. 



STORY 23. 

Dacob goes to Cggpt, rofjere l)e btes. 

Joseph dies in the year of the world 2369, and before Christ, 
1635. 

Genesis, Chapters XLVI, XL VII. 

Now the brothers of Joseph returned home full 
of joy, and immediately told their father : x Thy 
son Joseph liveth, and is lord of Egypt. 2 Jacob 
would not believe this until he saw the wagons 

1 What did Joseph's brothers say to their father, when they 
returned ? 
* How did this news effect Jacob ? 



JACOB GOES TO EGYPT WHEKE HE DIES. 101 

which his son had sent him. Then he awoke 
as to a new life, and exclaimed : 3 I will hence 
and see him before I die. And he immediately 
departed, he and his whole house, Consisting of 
seventy-two souls, after he had offered sacrifices 
to the God of his fathers. When he saw his 
son Joseph, he exclaimed : 5 Now let me die, 
since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet 
alive. As soon as the king heard that Jacob 
had arrived, 6 he ordered Joseph to prepare the 
dwelling of his father and that of all his house- 
hold in the best part of the country; and Joseph 
gave them the land of Goshen where they were 
well provided for during the famine. Here 
Jacob lived seventeen years longer, and when 
his end approached, 7 he reminded Joseph of the 
promise of God, adopted his two grand-children 
Manasseh and Ephraim and his own children, 
blessed all those belonging to him and said : 8 I 
die, but God will be with you. Hereupon he 
asked Joseph 9 to promise him not to bury him in 
Egypt, but in the graves of his fathers, and 

3 What did he say in the fulness of his heart ? 

4 Of how many souls did the household of Jacob consist, when 
he went to Egypt ? 

D What did Jacob exclaim, when he saw Joseph again ? 

6 What were the orders of the king, when he heard of Jacob's 
arrival ? 

7 Of what did Jacob remind Joseph, when his end approached ? 

8 How did he comfort his family, before he died? 
• What did Joseph promise to his father ? 

9* 



102 JACOB GOES TO EGYPT WHERE HE DIES. 

Joseph did so. Thus Jacob died at the age of 
one hundred and forty-seven. Joseph and his 
brothers then conveyed his body to Canaan and 
buried it in the cave, in which Abraham and 
Isaac were buried. 

After Jacob's death, his sons feared that 
Joseph might take vengeance on them, and sent 
word to him : 10 Thy father commanded us, when 
he was dying to tell thee to forgive thy brothers 
the iniquities, of which they have been guilty 
towards thee. Joseph wept, when he heard 
this, and his brothers went, fell down before him 
and said: Behold, we are thy servants. But 
the generous Joseph answered : "Fear ye not, 
for am I in the peace of God ? as for you, you 
thought evil against me, but God meant it unto 
good ; I will nourish you and your little ones. 
And he comforted them and spoke kindly unto 
them. And when Joseph was one hundred and 
ten years old he felt that his end was approach- 
ing and spoke to his brothers. 12 God will lead 
you out of this land into the land, which he has 
promised unto our fathers, and then take my 
bones with you. And this came to pass, 13 for when 



10 The brothers of Joseph fearing his vengeance after their 
father's death, what message did they send to him ? 

11 What did Joseph answer ? 

w What did he say to them when he felt his end approaching ? 
13 Who afterwards removed the bones of Joseph from Egypt ? 



JACOB GOES TO EGYPT WHERE HE DIES. 103 

Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, 
he took the bones of Joseph with him, and after- 
wards Joshua buried them at Shechem. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. It is extremely difficult to regain a good con- 
science after committing sin ; therefore let us avoid 
all iniquity. 

2. Though you have become richer and more 
respectable than your father and mother, never be 
ashamed of them. Honor them and love them and 
strive to make them very happy. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

God moves in a mysterious way 

His wonders to perform; 
He plants his footsteps in the sea, 

And rides upon the storm. 

His purposes will ripen fast, 
Unfolding every hour : 

The bud may have a bitter taste, 
But sweet will be the flower. 

1. Ghron. 29, 12. Both riches and honor come of 
thee, and thou reignest over all ; and in thine hand is 
power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great 
and to give strength to all. 

14 Who caused them to be buried at Shechem ? 



104 MOSES IS BORN DURING THE SERVITUDE 

STORY 24. 

3Uoses is 6orn burtng t(je Seroitube of t(je 
Osraefttes in. (£gi)pt. 

In the year of the world 2433, before Christ 1574. 
Exodus, I., II. 

After the death of Joseph the children of 
Israel multiplied rapidly in Egypt. And a king 
came to the throne who knew nothing of Joseph, 
but feared, that one day the Hebrews might 
join his enemies, and therefore concluded Ho 
oppress them by stratagem. He therefore 
ordered new cities to be built, 2 that he might 
impose upon them heavier tasks, and he placed 
over them task-masters, who treated them bar- 
barously. 3 But the more they oppressed the 
children of Israel, the more they increased 
Thereupon the king called to him the mid- 
wives, and ordered them Ho kill all the Hebrew 
male children, as soon as they were born ; but 
Hhese women feared God and preserved the lives 
of these children. When the king found that 

1 What did an Egyptian king, who knew nothing of Joseph, 
determine respecting the Israelites ? 

2 Why had he new cities built ? 

3 What happened, notwithstanding the oppression of the chil- 
dren of Israel ? 

4 What cruel command did the king give to the mid-wives? 
6 What did these women do ? 



Storv 24. 



Page 105. 




The preservation of Moses 



i06 OF THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT. 

this order also was in vain, he commanded the 
whole of his people 6 to take the male children 
from the Hebrew mothers and to throw them 
into the water. Thus many of them were 
drowned. About this time a woman of the tribe 
of Levi bore a son 7 whom she concealed three 
months in her house. 8 But when she could con- 
ceal him no longer, she made a box of bulrushes 
and covered it with rosin and pitch, laid the 
child in it, and put it in the rushes near the 
shore. This she did about the time, when the 
daughter of the king was wont to walk there 
with her maidens and bathe in the river ; 9 she 
also placed Mirjam, the sister of the child, to 
watch what would become of it. 10 When the 
king's daughter came to the spot, she observed 
the box in the bulrushes, and sent one of her 
maidens after it. She opened it and found a 
child in it, which was crying. She pitied the 
little creature, and desiring to save it, u she 
expressed a wish for a nurse, and Mirjam im- 
mediately stepped up, saying : 12 Shall I go for a 
Hebrew woman, who can nurse the child? And 

6 What order did the king give then to the whole nation ? 

7 How long did a certain woman conceal her child ? 

8 What other means did she take to preserve his life ? 

9 Whom had she sent out to observe what happened to the 
■Mid ? 

10 Who saw the box with the child ? 

11 What did the king's daughter wish to have for the child? 
u What did Mirjam propose to the king's daughter 1 



MOSES IS BORN DURING THE SERVITUDE 107 

the king's daughter told her to go, 13 and Miijara 
immediately went for her mother, who took the 
child to nurse it. And when the child was 
grown, she took him to the daughter of the king, 
"who adopted him as her own, and gave him 
the name of Moses. He was now brought up 
as the son of a king, and after having lived 
forty years at the court, God directed his heart, 
15 to leave the court and all its splendour, and to 
go to the children of Israel, his brethren, to see 
their suffering. And it happened, 16 that one of 
the Israelites was dreadfully ill-treated by an 
Egyptian. 17 Moses felt this cruelty so deeply, 
that he slew the task-master on the spot. 

18 He was therefore obliged to flee, and went to 
the land 19 of Midian, where he sat down by a 
well, when the daughters of the ruler and 
priest, Jethro, came to the well to water their 
sheep. But some shepherds came and pushed 
them away from the troughs. 20 But Moses 

13 Whom did Mirjam go for ? 

14 What name did the daughter of the king give to the child, 
when it was grown up ? 

15 How did the Lord direct the heart of Moses ? 

16 What happened when Moses was with his people ? 

17 What did he do, when he saw an Israelite ill-treated by an 
Egyptian ? 

18 What was he obliged to do ? 
» Where did he go ? 

20 How did he protect the daughters of the priest Jethro at the 
well? 



108 



OF THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT. 



who could not bear to see any wrong done, 
arose and assisted them in watering their sheep. 
When they came home, the father asked them : 
How does it happen that you return so early 
to-day ? And they related to him the whole 
occurrence. The father immediately sent out 
and invited him 21 to stop at his house. Moses 
did so, and afterwards 22 Jethro gave him one of 
his daughters for a wife. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. If we cannot repay our benefactor his kindness, 
we may do so to those belonging to him, and this 
we should never neglect. 

2. God has saved you from a thousand dangers 
of which you were not even aware, therefore you 
ought to love him and confide in him. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
how shall words with equal warmth, 

The gratitude declare 
That glows within my ravish'd heart ! 

But thou canst read it there. 
Thy providence my life sustained 

And all my wants redress'd 
When in the silent womb I lay, 

And hung upon the breast. 
Through hidden dangers, toils and deaths, 

It gently cleared my way, 
And through the pleasing snares of vice, 

More to be feared than they. 

21 What did Jethro do, when he heard this ? 
tt How did he further honor Moses ? 






MOSES AND THE OBDURATE PHARAOH. 109 

Psalm ix. 9, 10. — The Lord also will be a refuge 
h r the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And 
they that know thy name will put their trust in 
thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them tuat 
seek thee. 



. STORY 32. 

3Uoses anb t(je oOburate yOanioO. 

In the year of the world, 2513 and before Clirist, 1491. 
Exodus III. to IX., 

One day Moses was keeping the nock of his 
father-in-law in the desert on Mount Horeb ; 
x when he saw a bush, all in flames, which 
notwithstanding was not being consumed. 
From this bush the great God spoke, and said 
unto Moses : 2 I have witnessed the misery of 
my people in Egypt, and have come down to 
save them from the hand of the Egyptians, and 
lead them into a land, which floweth with milk 
and honey. 3 At the same time the Lord com- 
manded Moses to tell both, the children of Israel 
and Pharaoh, that it was the intention of the Lord 
to lead, through him his people out of Egypt. 
Moses was afraid to execute this commission, 

1 What did Moses see when he was minding the flocks on 
Mount Horeb ? 

2 What did God say to him ? 

3 What command did he give to lim ? 

10 



110 MOSES AND THE OBDURATE PHARAOH. 

and excused himself, saying, that 4 the people 
would not believe that he was sent from God. 
But the Lord God placed three miraculous 
tokens in his power. 5 The first was, that he 
should throw his staff upon the ground, and that 
it would turn into a serpent, and that if he were 
to seize the serpent by the tail, it would again 
turn to a staff. The second sign was, that he 
should twice put his hand into his bosom and 
draw it out again, and that the first time, it 
would appear leprous, but the second time, per- 
fectly sound. And the third, that he was to 
take water from the river, and pour it upon the 
ground, and that before his eyes, it would turn 
to blood. Notwithstanding all this Moses did not 
think himself capable of executing the orders of 
the Lord ; and he said : 6 Oh, I have never been 
very eloquent. I have a stubborn tongue. The 
Lord answered : 7 Do I not know that thy brother 
Aaron is eloquent ? And behold ! he will come 
to meet thee. Thou shalt put the words in his 
mouth, and he shall speak to the people for thee. 
Moses then went to Jethro, his father-in-law, 
and said to him : Let me depart and return to 
my brethren in Egypt, and Jethro spake im 



4 What excuse did Moses make ? 

5 What three miraculous signs did God give unto Moses ? 
e But what did Moses say ? 

' What answer did he receive from the Lord ? 



MOSES AND THE OBDUEATE PHAEAOH. Ill 

mediately : depart in peace. 8 And Moses went 
to Egypt, he and his wife and his children, and 
at Mount Hored, he met his brother. Then 
both went 9 and assembled all the elders of the 
children of Israel, and they believed them, when 
they had seen the signs. 

It was however not so with Pharaoh. For 
when they came to him and said : 10 Thus 
speaketh the Lord, the God of Israel, let my 
people depart, that they may hold a feast unto 
me in the desert, he said : n Who is the Lord, 
whose voice I am to obey ? I know nothing of 
the Lord, nor will I let Israel depart. This was 
not all, 12 but he ordered still heavier burthens 
to be laid upon the people. 13 Moses performed 
his miracles before Pharaoh with the staff, u but 
the latter minded it not : 15 Hereupon God sent 
ten heavy plagues over Egypt. 16 First, all streams 
were changed to blood, so that no one could 
drink the water. But the heart of Pharaoh 
remained obdurate. After this frogs came out 
of the water in such masses, that all the furni- 

8 Where did Moses then go with his family ? 

9 Whom did Moses and his brother Aaron assemble ? 

10 What did Moses say to Pharaoh ? 

11 What was the answer ? 

12 What command did Pharaoh give ? 

13 What did Moses perform in the presence of Pharaoh ? 
u What effect did these miracles produce on Pharaon ? 

15 How many plagues did God send over Egypt ? 

16 What were these plagues 1 



112 MOSES AND THE OBDURATE PHARAOH. 

ture, the beds, the people and the cattle were 
covered with them, and that even Pharaoh 
could not save himself from them. But when, 
at the intercession of Moses, the frogs had died, 
and Pharaoh felt himself at ease, he hardened 
his heart again. Then Moses struck his staff 
into the dust, and all the dust changed to sting- 
ing flies, which covered man and beasts : but 
the heart of Pharaoh remained hardened. And 
thereupon masses of vermin came over all 
Egypt and spoiled the houses and the fields, but 
the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel 
dwelt, was spared ; still the heart of Pharaoh 
remained hardened. And the murrain of beasts 
came over horses, and asses, and camels, oxen and 
sheep, that all died ; only the children of Israel 
remained unharmed ; but Pharaoh's heart re- 
mained obdurate. After this Moses and Aaron 
were ordered to take ashes out of the furnace 
and sprinkle them towards heaven, and behold ! 
this produced black, ulcerous boils on man and 
beast ; but Pharaoh's heart was not softened. 
After this Moses was commanded to stretch his 
staff towards heaven, and the Lord sent thunder 
and hail so that the lightning and the hail struck 
all that was in the field, men and beasts, herbs 
and trees; but Pharaoh remained hardened as 
before. And the Lord sent swarms of locusts, 
which covered and devoured everything the hail 
had spared : but Pharaoh remained as before ; 



MOSES AKD THE OBDURATE PHARAOH. 113 

Hereupon Moses stretched his hand towards 
heaven, and there was a thick darkness, so that 
they could not see one another, and it lasted 
three days ; 17 butthe heart of Pharaoh remained 
obdurate ; nay he even sent word to Moses : 
ls Take c we, not to appear before my eyes ; for on 
the daj? thou appearest before me thou shalt die 
Thui Grod had sent nine heavy plagues over 
Egypt but Pharaoh would not see that the 
Lord jvas almighty, 19 and only the tenth 
plague conquered his stubborn heart. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. 7^ 'aen we have any important object in view, 
ye si/O-nld prepare for difficulties, but not allow them 
t j d/^er us as to weary us. In the end we shall succeed. 

2 It is foolish to resist the Lord ; for . he knows 
w-»(i how to bring to obedience those who will not 
r Agnize and obey his command. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Lord, for ever at thy side 

Let my place and portion be : 
Strip me of the robe of pride, 

Clothe me with humility. 
Meekly may my soul receive 

All thy spirit has revealed, 
Thou hast spoken, I believe, 

Through the oracls be sealed. 

7 How did Pharaoh remain during these plagues ? 
■ What message did he send to Moses ? 
19 Which plague only conquered his st'bborn heart ? 
10* 



114 MOSES AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. 

Hebrews iii. 12, 13. — Take heed, brethren, lest 
there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in 
departing from the living God. But exort one 
another daily, while it is called to-day, lest any of 
you should be hardened through the deceitfulness of 
sin. 



STORY 2 6. 

31toses conbucts t(je cQifbreii of 3sraef out of 
tfgnpt. 

Exodus, XI. to XV. 

God the Lord now caused the tenth plague 
to be announced to Pharaoh, namely, Hhat the 
destroying angel should go forth at midnight 
and should slay all the first born, as well of men 
as of beasts. At the same time God ordered 
expressly how the last meal was to be taken, 
2 namely, each father of a family should kill a 
one-year lamb, roast it, and in the night eat it 
with his family to strengthen them for the 
journey. When you eat it, God said, your 
loins shall be girded, you shall have shoes on 
your feet, and staves in your hands, in fact you 
must eat it, like those who are anxious to 
depart. 

Also with the blood of the lambs they were 
to mark their' houses, that the angel of de- 

1 What plague did God announce to Pharoah now? 
1 What did God order for the Israelites ? 



MOSES CONDUCTS THE CHILDKEN 115 

struction might know which to spare. 3 And at 
midnight the destroyer came and smote all the 
first-born, both man and beast, beginning with 
the son of Pharaoh, who was to sit on his throne 
after him. And there was a great cry and 
lamentation all over Egypt, 4 for there was not a 
house without corpse. This had the desired effect. 
5 He arose and sent for Moses and Aaron in the 
middle of the night ; and spoke to them : Rise up 
and depart from among my people, and take with 
you all you have. Nay, the Egyptians could 
scarcely await the morning, but hastened the 
children of Israel out of the land, and Villingly 
left to them all they borrowed of golden and silver 
vessels, Vhich indemnified them for the houses 
and fields they left behind. 8 Besides children, 
there went out six hundred thousand, 9 and in com- 
memoration of this event the Jews annually cele- 
brate the feast of Easter or the Passover. But as 
soon, as they were out of the land 10 the heart of 
Pharaoh turned, he repented himself of having 



3 Whom did the destroyer smite at midnight ? 

4 Why was there a great cry and lamentation in Egypt ? 
6 What did Pharoah do and say now ? 

6 What did the Egyptians leave to the children of Israel ? 

7 For what did this indemnify the latter ? 

8 What was the number of the Israelites when they left Egypt ? 

9 What do the Jews celebrate annually, in commemoration ol 
Sheir departure fRom Egypt ? 

10 What did Pharoah do, when the Israelites had departed ? 



116 OF ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT. 

let the children of Israel depart, and he took 
six hundred chosen chariots and pursued them 
with his whole army. n But the angel of the 
Lord placed himself with a cloud between the 
children of Israel and the host of the Egyptians, 
so that they could not meet. Finally, the 
Israelites reached the Red Sea, 12 and when Moses 
stretched out his hand with his staff over it, 
the waters divided, and the children of Israel 
walked across on dry ground. The Egyptians 
followed close after them, and did not know that 
they were marching at the bottom of the sea. 
13 And the Lord created a great panic among the 
Egyptians, and all the wheels were taken from 
their chariots, and they cried with a loud 
voice : 14 Let us flee, for the Lord fighteth for 
Israel. And Moses lifted up his staff and 
stretched his hand over the sea 15 and the waters 
returned, and buried chariots and riders, and 
all the host of Pharaoh, so that not one escaped. 
But when the Israelites saw the dead bodies of 
the Egyptians lying on the shore of the sea, 
they feared the Lord and put faith in his ser- 
vant Moses. 

11 Why could Pharoah not attack the Israelites ? 

12 How did the Israelites cross the Red Sea ? 

13 What happened to the Egyptians in the Red Sea ? 

14 What did they cry ? 

15 What happened when Moses lifted up his rod nnd stretched 
out his hand over the sea ? 



MOSES AND THE CHILDEEN OF ISEAEL. 117 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The Lord God knows how to humiliate the 
scorners of his name, however mighty they may be, 
and however long they may resist him. 

2. It is very useful to celebrate festivals in com- 
memoration of great events, for they remind us 
of the beneficence of God. "We also have the like 
festivals. 

3. It is often very difficult to make man bear the 
fear of the Lord in his heart. The Israelites had seen 
so many miracles,- and yet they often fell off from the 
Lord. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Be gracious to thy servant Lord ; 

Do thou my life defend, 
That I according to thy word 

My time to come may spend. 

Thy sharp rebuke shall crush the proud, 

Whom still thy curse persues ; 
Since they to walk in thy right ways 

Presumptously refuse. 

Psalm cxviii. 6. — The Lord is on my side ; 1 will 
not fear : what can man do unto me? 



118 GOD ON MOUNT SINAI. 

STORY 27. 

#ob fltoes Ots sacreb commanbments on Mount 
Sinai. 

Exodus XIX., XX., XXIV., XXXI., XXXII. 

When the children of Israel had encamped 
in the wilderness opposide Mount Sinai, 1 The 
Lord God gave them the ten commandments 
and several others^ which had reference to their 
peculiar constitution. 2 For three days the 
people had to prepare for this event. 3 On the 
third day after they had reached the mountain, 
a dense cloud surrounded it. At the same 
time there was thunder and lightning, and the 
loud sound of a trumpet was heard. Moses, as 
he had been commanded, led the people out of 
the camp and 4 ranged them round the foot of 
the mountain. This was all over fire and 
smoke, and from the cloud God spoke : 6 I am 
the Lord, thy God, thou shalt have no other 
gods besides me ; nor shalt thou make unto 
thee any graven image or any likeness of any- 
thing, that is in heaven above, or in the earth 
beneath or that is in the water under the earth. 

1 What did God give to the Israelites on Mount Sinai? 
* How long had the people to prepare ? 

3 What happened on the third morning ? 

4 Where did Moses range the people ? 
6 Which are the ten commandments ? 



Page 119. 



Storv 27. 




Moses has received the law. 



120 GOD GIVES HIS SACRED COMMANDMENTS 

Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy 
God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him 
guiltless, that taketh his name in vain. Re- 
member the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 
Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy 
days may be long upon the land which the 
Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not 
kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou 
shalt not bear false witness against thy neigh- 
bor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. 
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor 
his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his 
ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is his. 

And after God had spoken all these words, 
Moses went up into the darkness, in which the 
Lord was ; for he, as the confidant of God, was 
allowed this privilege. 6 and he remained on the 
mount forty days and forty nights. In the mean 
time the people sinned much against God. For 
when Moses remained so long on the mount, 
they came to Aaron and said : 7 Make us 'gods 
which shall go before us, for we know not what 
has become of the man Moses, who has led us up 
out of Egypt. Aaron obeyed the people and 
out of the golden ear-rings of their wives and 
children, he made them a golden calf, because 

6 How long did Moses remain upon the mountain ? 

7 What did the people say to Aaron, when Moses tarried so 
long? 



ON MOUNT SINAI. 121 

they had seen that the Egyptians worshipped 
God under the likeness of an ox. When this 
idol was finished, they said to one another : 
8 This Israel is the image of the God, who has 
brought us out of Egypt. 9 And the people sat. 
down to eat and to drink, and arose to play. 
The Lord in his sacred cloud, saw this idolatry 
and said unto Moses : 10 I see that it is a stiff- 
necked people, and now let me alone, that my 
wroth may wax hot against them, that I may 
consume them ; and of thee and of thy descend- 
ants will I make a great nation. u But Moses 
interceded for the people, and the Lord God 
harkened unto his prayers. And when Moses 
descended from the mountain and heard the 
idolatrous tumult, 12 In his zeal, he threw 
the tables on which were written the command- 
ments to the ground and broke them. 13 Then 
he took the golden calf, burnt it to powder, 
strewed it upon the water, and made the 
people drink it ; u he also caused three thousand 
men to be slain by the children of Levi, and 
said to the people : 15 You have committed a 

8 What did they say to one another when the idol was finished ? 

9 What did the people do after this ? 

10 What did the Lord say to Moses about this idolatry ? 

11 Who prayed for the people unto the Lord ? 

14 What did Moses do, when he came down from the mountain ? 
» What did he do with the golden calf? 
14 How many of the people did he cause to be killed? 
u What did he say to the people ? 
11 



122 GOD ON MOUNT SINAI. 

great sin, but I will go up to the Lord and see 
if I can make an atonement for your wicked- 
ness. 16 He went up again and made two other 
tables, and the Lord with his finger wrote upon 
these the same commandments, which had been 
written on the first. 17 And from the time when 
Moses conversed so long with the Lord his 
countenance shone, now when he spoke with 
the children of Israel, he hung a veil over his 
face ; but when he went into the Lord, he 
removed it again. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. We should implore God to forgive those who 
sin. 

2. We should not obey the command of men, 
when they ask us to do evil. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Let us to his courts repair, 
And bow with adoration there ; 
Down on our knees devoutly all , 

Before the Lord, our Maker, fall. 

For he's our God, our Shepherd he, 
His flock and pasture-sheep are we ; 
then, ye faithful flock, to-day 
His warning hear, his voice obey. 

John xiii. 17. — If ye know these things, happy are 
ye if ye do them. 



v What did Moses make again, when the tables were broken 1 
w "What do the scriptures further relate of Moses ? 



THE LAND OF PROMISE. 123 



STOEY 2 8. 

fionj t(je £orb ijob OrougOt tfje cfjifbren of 

Osraef tOrouQf) t(je urifberness, into 

tOe £anb of promise. 

Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. 

1 The children of Israel were forty years on 
their journey to the Land of Promise. The 
distance from Egypt is not so great, but God had 
his own wise ends to fulfil, in keeping them 
wandering about for so long a time, in the 
wilderness. 2 But his omnipotence and mercy 
accompanied them in all their journeyings. 
3 During the day God was in a cloudy pillar 
before them, and at night in a pillar of fire. The 
first served during the day, as a screen from the 
heat, and the latter, by night, as a lantern. 
When the cloud rested upon the splendid and 
holy tent, which was called the Tabernacle, 
the people of Israel remained in camp, and when 
it arose, they continued on their way. 4 During 
the whole journey they had no care for what they 
should eat and drink, for God provided them 

1 How long were the children of Israel on their journey to 
the land of Canaan? 

2 What accompanied them in all their journeying? 
8 How was God their leader ? 

* Why had the Israelites no care for what they should eat 
»«<x drink during their journey ? 



124 THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL 

with a peculiar food. Soon after their departure 
they began to murmur because the flesh-pots 
which they had used in Egypt were empty, and 
behold 5 there came so many quails that they 
h ad more meat than they could consume. And 
every morning, bread fell from heaven which 
they called manna. It consisted of small round 
grains, and tasted like wheaten bread mixed 
with honey. Besides this, each could prepare 
his manna according to his taste. 6 Every 
morning, before sunrise it was gathered in, but 
on the Sabbath none fell, and they were there- 
fore obliged to gather it for that day on the day 
before. 7 When they came to a place where 
there was no water, Moses smote the rocks, and 
water immediately gushed forth, so that all the 
people had enough to drink. 8 They had just as 
little care about clothing, for the garments they 
had and the shoes upon their feet never wore out. 
"Nevertheless, they murmured repeatedly 
against the Lord, although he never let their 
murmuring pass unpunished. For when they 
would no longer eat of the manna which the 
Lord had sent them, but said, we are disgusted 

c What food was given unto them ? 

6 When was the bread which fell from heaven and which they 
called manna, gathered in ? 

7 How were they preserved in a place where there "wa? so wa*pr ? 

8 Why had the Israelites as little care aoout tne'T •j^zumj, ? 

9 How did the people act towards the Lord ? 



ARRIVE IN THE LAND OP PROMISE. 125 

with this food ; 10 God sent fiery dragons among 
them which killed many of them. When, after 
that, the tribe of Korah rebelled against Moses, 
n the earth opened and swallowed them. At 
length because the murmuring and rebellion 
among the people still continued, the Lord 
swore in his anger 12 that all those who had 
gone out of the Land of Egypt should die 
together in the wilderness, and only those who 
had been born after their departure, should 
come into the Land which he had promised unto 
them. And it came to pass that they all died, 
and even Moses and Aaron did not reach the 
promised land, 13 for they too, on one occasion, 
had been disobedient to the voice of the Lord. 
14 Only two of the elders, Joshua and Kaleb, 
arrived there. But 15 the Lord showed Moses 
the Land of Canaan from the mountain of Nebo, 
and Moses died upon this mountain ; and the 
Lord buried him there, so that no man knoweth 

10 What did God send among the people when they murmured 
at the manna ? 

11 What happened when the tribe of Korah rebelled against 
Moses. 

12 As the murmuring still continued, what did the Lord 
swear ? 

13 "Why did Moses and Aaron never reach the Laad of 
Promise ? 

14 What two men of all the elders came into the Land of 
F'-'omipe ? 

{V oat iax)oened to Moses on the mountain of Nebo? 
H* 



126 THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL 

of his grave even unto this day. Moses knew 
this thing before it came to pass, for God had 
said unto him : Thou shalt not pass over the 
Jordan, but Joshua shall lead my people into 
the Land. 16 Joshua now became the successor 
Df Moses, and he conquered the Land of 
Promise with the edge of the sword ; for God 
had commanded the children of Israel to slay all 
the dwellers of that land. 17 God gave this 
command so that the children of Israel might 
not be seduced into idolatry and the desertion 
of the true God by the heathen inhabitants of 
the Land of Canaan. Again in their march into 
the Land, God showed his omnipotence; 18 for 
when the children of Israel passed over the 
Jordan, the waters of the river divided them- 
selves, and the people passed over on dry land, 
and when they wanted to overcome the strong 
town of Jericho, behold at the" sound of 
trumpets with which they marched round the 
town, all the towers and walls fell upon the 
hosts which were therein. Joshua subdued and 
overthrew thirty- one kings, and 19 divided the 

16 Who was the successor of Moses ? 

17 Why did God command the children of Israel to slay all 
the people of the Land of Canaan? 

18 When the Israelites marched into the I.ai>o - Cajaan 
how did God again show his omnipotence ? 

19 How did Joshua divide the land, after he had vanquished 
thirty-one kings ? 



ARRIVE IN THE LAND OF PROMISE. 127 

land by lot among the twelve tribes of the 
children of Israel. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. To govern a whole people is both difficult and 
troublesome. How many were the trials and cares 
which Moses had to encounter ! Therefore fear God 
and honor the law. 

2. God punishes without regard to persons ; for 
even Moses was punished. JSTo one need think that 
he can sin with impunity, because of his rank and 
wealth. 

8. We also, have a land of promise, which, how- 
ever, is not on the earth but in heaven, and we must 
shun neither exertions nor difficulties to reach it in 
the end. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Salvation ! O the joyful sound, 

Glad tidings to our ears ; 
A sovereign balm for every wound, 

A cordial for our 



Salvation ! buried once in sin, 

At hell's dark door we lay ; 
But now we rise by grace divine 

And see a heavenly day. 

1 John ii. 25. — And this is the promise that he 
hath promised us, even eternal life. 



128 SAMSON THE STRONG MAN. 

STORY 29. 

Samson tf)e Strong man. 

Judges, XIII. to XY. 

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Judah 
and Simeon continued the war, for the purpose 
of conquering the rest of the land of Canaan. 
The other tribes of Israel did not want to extir- 
pate the inhabitants of Canaan but wished only 
to subdue them. Therefore they dwelt among 
them and even intermarried with them. *By 
this means it came to pass that they forgot 
the living God and served dumb idols, there- 
fore the Lord often delivered the children of 
Israel into the hands of their enemies, and they 
were much oppressed by them. In the moment 
of their greatest need, they cried unto the Lord, 
and the 3 Lord harkened unto them, pjtied them, 
and sent men among them, who saved them 
from the hand of their enemies. These heroes 
were called judges, 4 because even in the time of 
peace they had great power among them. And 
the period during which these judges appeared 

1 What happened, because the children of Israel did not extir- 
pate the inhabitants of Canaan ? 

2 What did the Lord therefore often do ? 

8 What did the Lord in his mercy send unto the children of 
Israel ? 
4 Why were these heroes also called judges ? 



Story 29. 



Page 129. 




130 SAMSON THE STRONG MAN. 

in Israel, was about three hundred and fifty 
years. 5 Samson was one of these. 

His father, one of the family of the Danites, 
dwelt at Zorah, and his name was Manoah. 
And it came to pass that an angel of the Lord 
appeared to his mother. 6 He promised her a son 
who should begin to deliver Israel out of the 
hands of the Philistines. When she had told 
this to her husband he too wished to see the 
angel, and the angel came unto Manoah. He 
asked him : art thou the man who hast spoken 
unto my wife ? and he answered : I am. Here- 
upon Manoah begged him 7 to remain with them 
that he might make ready a kid for him. But 
the angel answered, and said : 8 I eat not of 
thy food, but if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, 
thou must offer it unto the Lord. When 
Manoah thereupon asked him his name, he 
answered him, and said : 9 Wherefore askest thou 
thus after my name, seeing, it is a secret. 
10 Then Manoah took a kid and offered it unto 
the Lord, and as the flame ascended from the 

6 Who was one of these heroes ? 

6 What did the angel of the Lord promise to the mother of 
Samson? 

7 What request did Manoah make of the angel, when he 
appeared unto him ? 

8 What answer did he receive ? 

9 What did the angel say when Manoah asked him his name T 

10 What did Manoah then do? 



SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN. 131 

altar towards heaven u it came to pass, that the 
angel of the Lord ascended in the flames of the 
altar ; but Manoah and his wife fell upon their 
faces to the ground. 

And afterwards Samson was born. And 
when the boy- had grown up, the spirit of the 
Lord began to move him to manifold deeds. 
l2 He had extraordinary strength, which was con- 
cealed in the hair of his head; for the Lord 
had willed that a razor should never come upon 
his head. And after that he went down among 
the Philistines to seek a wife from among their 
daughters, and he found one that pleased him. 
But his parents opposed the marriage for they 
knew not 13 that he only sought an occasion 
against the Philistines. Now when they went 
with him, and had come unto the vine- 
yards, behold, 14 he was met by a roaring young 
lion which was seeking prey. 15 Samson at once 
seized him with his powerful arms and rent 
him as he would have rent a kid, and he had 
neither knife nor weapon in his hand. Here- 
upon he received the consent of the parents of 
the bride, and when, after a few days he went 
again to celebrate the marriage, he saw the lion 



11 What happened when the flame ascended ? 

12 What particular gift had Samson ? 

13 Why did he seek a daughter of the Philistines in marriage T 

14 What did he meet on his way to the Philistines ? 

15 How did he slay the lion ? 



132 SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN. 

which he had rent, and behold, 16 there was a 
swarm of bees and honey in the lion. Samson 
took part of the honey with him, but told no 
one where he had found it. 17 At the marriage 
feast he proposed a riddle to the guests and said : 
If ye can guess it within seven days, 18 then will 
I give unto you, thirty shirts and thirty changes 
of garments, but if ye cannot declare it unto 
me, 19 then must ye give me thirty shirts and 
thirty changes of garments. The riddle was 
as follows : 20 Out of the eater came forth meat, 
and out of the strong came forth sweetness. 
21 When the Philistines were unable to solve 
the riddle, they requested the wife of Samson 
to coax him for the solution of the riddle, and 
she pressed him daily to tell her, and on the 
seventh day wept before him, and said : Thou 
dost not love me ; then he disclosed to her the 
secret, and she repeated it to the Philistines. 
And they said unto him ; 22 What is sweeter 

16 What did Samson find in the lion when he returned after a 
few days ? 

17 What did Samson propose to the guests at the marriage 
feast ? 

18 What did he promise them if they guessed the riddle ? 

19 What did he demand of them in case that they could not guess 
it? 

-•7hat was the riddle? 
■' What did the Philistines do when they were unable to solve 
tfte riddle? 
M What answer did they make to Samson ? 



SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN. 133 

than honey, and what is stronger than a lion ? 
Ye have ploughed with my heifer, meaning, ye 
have won my wife to your advantage, answered 
Sampson, or ye would not have found out my 
riddle. 23 Thereupon he went and slew thirty 
men of the Philistines, and took off their clothes 
and gave the garments unto the guests. 

Now Sampson was about to take his wife 
home, but in the mean time her father had 
given her to another, and Samson said unto 
him : thou shalt suffer for this. 24 And he went 
and caught three hundred foxes and bound them 
in couples by the tails, and fastened a fire brand 
between each of them, and let them loose among 
the standing corn of the Philistines, so that it 
was entirely consumed by fire. Thereupon the 
Philistines were angry, and burnt the wife of 
Sampson and the whole house of her father. 

25 Hereupon it came to pass that the men of 
Judah bound Samson with cords, and delivered 
him into the hands of his enemies. And they 
rejoiced with a loud noise, that they had him 
m their power ; 26 but he rent the cords like 
rotten threads, and with the jaw bone of an 
ass he slew a thousand of the Philistines, and 

* How did he pay the guests ? 

24 What did he do, when his wife was given to another ? 
v How did the men of Judah act towards Samson? 
86 How did Samson show his strength ? 
12 



134 SAMSON", THE STRONG MAN. 

said : There they lie in heaps. At another 
time when Samson was at Gaza in an inn, kept 
by a woman, the Philistines surrounded him, 
and thought to slay him. 27 But Samson arose 
at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of 
the city upon his shoulders, and carried them to 
the top of a mountain. And it came to pass 
afterwards that he loved a women who lived in 
the valley of Soreh, whose name was Delilah. 
28 She brought him to destruction, for she was 
bribed by the lords of the Philistines to dis- 
cover wherein his great strength lay, and each 
of them was to give her eleven hundred pieces 
of silver. 29 But Samson deceived her three 
times. The first time he said : 30 If they bind 
me with seven green withs, then can I do noth- 
ing. She therefore bound him with the seven 
withs, and when she called the Philistines, who 
were lying in wait in the chamber, 31 he arose 
and broke the withs like threads of flax. The 
second time he said to her : 32 If they bind me 
with cords which have never been used, then 
shall I lie without strength. This also was 
done and then Delilah cried again : The Phil- 

87 What did he do at Gaza when surrounded by the Philistines I 

88 To what did Delilah bring Samson ? 
20 How often did he deceive Delilah ? 
30 What did he say the first time ? 

,] What did he do when he was bound ? 
n What did he say the second time ? 



SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN. 135 

istines be upon thee, Samson ; ^he sprang up 
and brake the cords like a thread. ^The third 
time he allowed the locks of his head to be 
plaited and nailed against the wall. But as 
soon as he heard the words : the Philistines be 
upon thee, Samson 35 he tore the nails out of the 
wall with his hair. But at length the false 
Delilah, by her flattery and caresses, learned, 
36 that if shorn of his hair, his strength would be 
gone. She now sent for the Philistines and 
and when he had fallen asleep with his head in 
her lap he was shorn of his locks, 37 and when 
he awoke the strong man was as weak as a child. 
Now the Philistines had him at last in their 
power, 38 and they treated him cruelly, for they 
put out both his eyes, loaded him with heavy 
chains and compelled him to turn a large wheel 
in the mill. 39 As, in the mean time his hair had 
grown again, his strength was restored to him, 
and ^he thought to avenge himself on the Phil- 
istines. The opportunity soon arrived. For 

33 How did he free himself from the cords ? 

34 What did he allow the third time ? 

35 What did he do at the outcry : The Philistines be upon 
thee, Samson? 

36 What did the false Delilah at last learn ? 

37 What happened when he was shorn of his locks ? 

38 How did the Philistines treat Samson? 

39 What was restored to Samson when his hair had grown 
again? 

40 What did he now think to do ? 



136 SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN. 

it came to pass that the lords of the Philistines 
held a great feast offering in honor of their 
idols, and there were gathered together about 
three thousand men and women in a large house, 
which rested upon two pillars, 41 Now when they 
were merry, they had their enemy, Samson, 
brought from the mill, 42 that he might make 
sport for them, and that they might laugh at 
him. 43 He allowed himself to be led between 
the two pillars, and suddenly seizing them he 
pulled them away, so that the whole house fell 
together. Thus were Samson and his enemies 
slain at the one time. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. It is abominable to win the confidence of any 
one by deceit, in order to bring him to destruction. 
This was the conduct of Delilah. 

2. It is dangerous to trust one, who has already 
shamefully abused our confidence. This was the 
conduct of Samson. 

3. It is foolish to rely on our mere bodily strength, 
if we do not govern it with proper discretion. Sam- 
son was thoughtless enough to betray his secret; and 
therefore his strength was of no avail. 

41 Whom did the Philistines cause to be brought before them, 
when they were merry ? 

42 Wherefore did they want Samson? 

43 What did Samson do when he was led between the pillars 
of the house ? 



RUTH, FROM WHOM DAVID DESCENDED. 137 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Let fear of thee, God my Lord! 

Be ever o'er my path of life ; 
And may thy ways of wisdom guard 

My steps from error, sin or strife ! 
With child-like love to shun, is bliss — 
To fear thee God is happiness. 

Ecclesiastics is. 16. — Wisdom is better than 
strength. 



STORY 3 0. 

RutfJ, from mfjom Datrib bescenbeb. 

The book of Euth. 

In the days when the Judges ruled, it came 
to pass that there was a famine in the land of 
Canaan, and a certain man of Bethlehem went 
into the country of Moab with his wife and two 
sons. The man's name was Elimelech and his 
wife's Naomi. After that Elimelech died and 
his two sons took wives of the women of 
Moab; the name of the one was Orpha and the 
other was called Ruth. After they had dwelt 
there about ten years, the two sons died and 
Naomi was alone with her daughters-in-law. 
x And she heard that the Lord had again given 
bread unto his people in the land of Canaan, 
therefore she resolved to return. Her daughters- 

1 Why did Naomi resolve to return to Canaan ? 
12* 



138 RUTH, FROM WHOM DAVID DESCENDED. 

in-law accompanied her, but on the way, Naomi 
bethought her, and said unto them : 2 Go, return 
each to her mother's house: The Lord deal 
kindly with you as ye have dealt with me. 
They both wept, and said : We will return with 
thee to thy people. Naomi endeavoured to 
persuade them from their purpose, and she pre- 
vailed upon Orpha, who returned, but 3 Ruth 
would not desert her mother-in-law, and spake 
unto her: 4 Whither thou goest, I will go; 
where thou lodgest, I will lodge ; where thou 
diest, will I die, and there will I be buried, and 
naught but death shall part thee and me. So 
they both came to Bethelehem, and their 
arrival caused great surprise, and all the people 
of the city asked : Is this Naomi, who formerly 
dwelt among us? And she said: 5 Oh call me 
not Naomi (the joyous) but Mara (the cheerless) 
for the Lord hath dealt bitterly with me; I went 
away rich, but the Lord has brought me home 
poor. As they came to Bethlehem, in the 
beginning of the barley harvest, and had no 
bread to eat, 6 Ruth went out into the fields to 
glean after the reapers. But it came to pass, 

2 What did she say to her daughters-in-law on the way ? 
8 Who would not desert her mother-in-law? 
4 What did Ruth say to her mother-in-law ? 
6 What did Naomi say when the people asked about her? 
What did Ruth do, as she and her mother-in-law had no 
bread ? 



RUTH, FEOM WHOM DAVID DESCENDED. 139 

that she went to glean in the field of one named 
Boaz. who was a near relation of Naomi, and 
was observed by him. He asked the reapers if 
they knew the damsel, and when he heard that 
it was Ruth, of whom he had already learned 
much good, he said unto her, 7 that she must 
glean on no other field than his, and that she 
might eat and drink with his people. And 
when she was astonished at the favor she had 
found in his sight, Boaz said unto her : I know 
all that thou hast done, unto thy mother-in- 
law ; may the Lord richly recompense thy 
work, and mayest thou find rest under his 
wings. And she carried away with her a full 
measure of barley and some of the dinner and 
brought it to Naomi, and told her what had 
befallen her, and that the man's name was 
Boaz. Thereupon Naomi told her that he was 
a near relation of hers, and wished that she 
might become better acquainted with him. 
And this too happened through the advice 
of Naomi, in the threshing-house, where Boaz 
had his corn winnowed, 8 and he loved the 
grateful Ruth. Elimelech had left one piece of 
ground unsold, which came as an inheritance to 
Naomi, and whoever should buy this land, was 

7 What did Boaz say to Ruth, when he had learned so mnch 
good of her ? 

8 Whom did Boaz then love ? 



140 RUTH, FROM WHOM DAVID DESCENDED. 

obliged, according to the law of those times, to 
marry Ruth, so that the name of the dead should 
remain upon the inheritance. 9 Therefore Boaz 
went unto the gate of the city, where at that time 
all matters of justice were settled, and when the 
nearest kinsman of Naomi came by, he said 
unto him; turn aside, sit down here. Then he 
called ten of the elders of the city as witness* 
and offered the land to the kinsman for pL\ 
chase. But he refused to buy it when ht 
learned that at the same time he must marry 
Ruth, in order to keep the name of the dead 
upon the inheritance, so he relinquished it to 
Boaz. At the same time he took off his shoe 
and gave it to Boaz; for it was an ancient 
custom in Israel, that he, who did not want 
to inherit or to buy certain property, should 
take off his shoe and give it to the one, to whom 
he relinquished the right. 10 Boaz now caused 
the elders to witness, that he had bought from 
Naomi everything that had belonged to 
Elimelech and his sons, and also Ruth the 
Moabitess, who had followed her mother-in-law 
to Bethlehem. "Thereupon he took Ruth, and 
she was his wife, and she became the ancestress 



9 What did he do, in order to provide for Ruth ? 
10 To whom was t':e field relinquished ? 

u What did Boaz do, ifter he had solemnly bought the field 
from Naomi? 



ELI, THE HIGH PRIEST 141 

of David ; for she bore unto Boaz a son, ^whom 
they named Obed, 13 and he was the father of 
Jesse, u the father of David. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1 . Eemain faithful to the loved one, even in mis- 
fortune 

2. Truth and honesty, industry and economy are 
never left unrewarded by God. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
His helping hand is ever near, 

In sorrow and in gloom; 
Know, that for one short trial here, 
The joys of heaven shall bloom I 
And O my soul ! forget not now, 

His mercies from on high ; 
I'll praise and honor, while I bow 
To his great sovereignty. 
Psalms xxxvii. 18, 19. — The Lord knoweth the days 
of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 
They shall not be ashamed in evil time : and in 
the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 



STORY 31. 

(Ett, tpe .gtgfj priest anb 3ubge of Osraet. 

1 Samuel II., III., and IV. 

Eli was the fourteenth judge of Israel and at 
the same time high-priest. Also his two sons 

12 What was the name of Euth's son whom she bore unto Boas ? 

13 Of whem ^7s^L Obed the father ? 
u Of whom was Jesse the father ? 



Story 31. 



Page 142. 




Death of Eli. 



AND JUDGE OF ISBAEL. 1-tS 

Hophni and Phinehas were priests *but they were 
both evil men. 2 For when any man offered 
sacrifice, one of their servants used to come 
while the meat was boiling, and stick a three 
pronged fork into the pot or kettle and take out 
with it what ever was therein. Also before 
they burnt the fat at a sacrifice, one of their 
servants used to come and take the best pieces 
of meat, and say to him who made the sacrifice : 
Give me the meat that I may roast it for the 
priest ; for he does not want it cooked but raw, 
and if the people refused this, the servants used 
force. The two sons were therefore the cause 
3 that the people abhored the offering of the 
Lord, and besides this, they committed other 
crimes and abominations, so that their sin was 
great in the sight of the Lord. The old father 
learned all these things, 4 but was weak enough 
merely to reprove them with soft words and 
said : Why do ye those things, my children ? 
It is no good report that I hear of you. 5 But 
this did not make them turn from their wicked- 
ness, but they continued as before. 6 Therefore 
there came a man of God, a prophet, unto Eli 

1 What does the Bible say of the sons of Eli ? 

2 How did they act towards the people ? 

a For what were the sons of W< to blame ? 
4 How did Eh admonish his sons ? 

* How did they attend to the warning of their father? 

• What forewarning did God give unto k^ * 



144 ELI, THE HIGH PKIEST 

and forwarned him of the downfall of his house. 
Among other things he spake the following 
words in the name of the Lord : Why dost 
thou honor thy sons more than me? Whoever 
honoreth me, him will I honor ; but whosoever 
despiseth me, him will I despise. Behold a 
time will come when thine eyes shall grow weak 
and thy soul be tortured, and thy two sons shall 
die, even on the same day. 7 And (xod revealed 
these things also to a youth named Samuel. 
When he related it to the high-priest at his 
earnest solicitation, Eli answered full of resig- 
nation, and said : 8 Itis the Lord, his will be done. 
9 The threatening of the Lord was soon fulfilled, 
as it had been spoken, for soon after, Eli became 
blind. Now the children of Israel went out 
against their enemies the Philistines, and the 
sons of Eli went with them, and bore the ark of 
the covenant of the Lord. In the meantime 
the old father sat in the gate of the city and 
waited anxiously 10 the result of the battle. Then 
came a messenger hastily unto him, and said : 
"Israel has been beaten by the Philistines ; thy 
two sons are dead, and the ark of God is taken. 



7 To whom else did God reveal the downfall of the house of 
Eli? 

8 What did Eli say, full of resignation ? 

9 What was soon fulfilled ? 

* For what did Eli wait, when his sons had gone to battle ? 

* What did the messenger say of the battle ? 



AND JUDGE OF ISRAEL. 145 

"Vhen Eli heard these things ^he fell backwards 
fF the seat, and his neck brake and he died ; 
and his years were ninety-eight, 13 and he had 
been judge in Israel for forty years. Such was 
the end of Eli and his two sons. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Thou canst not be thankful enough to thy 
parents, if they bring thee up in the ways of righte- 
ousness, for £aou art thereby made happy for thy 
whole life. 

Whoever permits his children to commit small 
faults, is answerable if they become criminals like the 
sons of Eli. — Therefore do not complain if thy 
parents are strict with thee. 

3. The punishment, with which Glod afflicted the 
wicked sons of Eli, is a fearful warning for all bad 
children. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

O lead me Lord in wisdom's ways, 

In virtue and in truth, 
And with a father's goodness guide 

My erring wayward youth : 
And may thy blessing long abide, 
While o'er the path of life I glide 

On to eternity. 



xx. 3. — An evil-nurtured son is the dishonor 
of his father that begat him. 

12 What happened to Eli when he had heard these things T 
18 How long had he judged Israel ? 
13 



146 SAMUEL, THE LAST JUDGE OF ISRAEL. 

STORY 32. 

Samuef, t(je fast Oubge of Osraef. 

1 Samuel L, II., III. and VIII. 

Samuel was the fifteenth, and at the same 
time, the last of the judges of Israel. His 
father was called Elkaimh and his mother 
Hannah. Hannah had x for a long time wished 
in vain for a son. In the end, she grew very 
sorrowful and when all the people were merry 
at the feast of the sacrifice, she went and sat 
down and wept. Her husband Elkanah, came 
to her and sought to comfort her, and said : 
Am I not dearer to thee than many sons ? But 
she remained in grief. Once when the wish 
was strong upon her to bear a son 2 she made a 
vow, that if God would grant to her a son, she 
would consecrate him to the service of the temple 
of the Lord. Whilst she was making this vow 
unto God, Eli the high-priest sat at the door 
of the temple and looked on. As she did not 
speak the words of the prayer aloud, but only 
moved her lips, the priest thought she was drunk, 
and reproached her, saying: 3 How long wilt 
thou be drunken ; put away thy wine from thee. 

1 For what did Hannah wish in vain for a long time ? 

2 What did she do, when the wish was strong upon her to bear 
a son? 

8 How did the priest rebuke her when he thought that she 
was drunk ? 



SAMUEL, THE LAST JUDGE OF ISRAEL. 1-17 

Hannah answered him, and said : 4 I am not 
drunk but bowed down with sorrow, and have 
poured out my soul before the Lord. Then 
Eli knew that he had been too hasty, and said : 
6 Go in peace ; God will grant thee what thou 
hast asked of him. Thereupon she bore a son 
whom she called Samuel, meaning the one 
asked of God. When he was a few years old 
6 she brought- him to Shiloh, to the high-priest 
Eli, in order that he might be brought up by 
him, to the duties of the temple, and said : 7 ] 
give him again unto the Lord while he liveth, 
because I asked him of the Lord ; and she sang 
a beautiful song of praise. There after, she 
came yearly unto Shiloh, to oner sacrifice and she 
always brought with her a little coat for Samuel. 
Samuel was not led away by the sinners, 8 and 
he found favor in the sight of God and man. 
Once when Samuel was sleeping in his chamber 
in the tabernacle 9 the Lord called him, saying ; 
Samuel ! 10 The boy believing that Eli had 
called him, ran to him, and said : Here am I, for 



4 What answer did she make to Eli ? 

5 How did Eli comfort Hannah? 

6 Where did Hannah bring the young Samuel ? 
' What did she say to Eli ? 

8 In whose sight did Samuel find fa^or, because he was not 
led away by the Sinners ? 

9 Who once called Samuel, when sleeping in his chamber ? 
19 What did Samuel believe, when he heard the call ? 



148 SAMUEL, THE LAST JUDGE OF ISRAEL. 

thou didst call me. But Eli answered : ll I did 
not call, lay down again and sleep. This 
happened 12 again twice. Then Eli knew that 
the Lord was calling the boy, and he said unto 
him : 13 If thou art called again, answer and say : 
Speak Lord, thy servant heareth. And it came 
to pass, as he had said, and the Lord revealed 
to Samuel that u he would punish the house of 
Eli on account of the sins of his two sons, and 
because their father had not rebuked them with 
earnestness. In the morning Samuel opened 
the doors of the house of the Lord, but he feared 
to disclose to Eli the vision which he had had. 
Then the high priest pressed him 15 and he told 
him all and concealed nothing. And after this 
16 Samuel grew in strength and spirit, for the 
Lord was with him, and everything that he 
prophesied was fulfilled. Hereby all Israel 
knew 17 that he was a true prophet of the Lord ; 
and he commenced to preach and had his 
dwelling at Ramath. 18 And he went out from 



11 What answer did Eli make to the boy Samuel ? 
13 How often did this happen ? 

13 What did Eli tell him to do ? 

14 What did the Lord reveal to Samuel ? 

15 What did Samuel do when Eli pressed him relative to the 
vision ? 

16 How was Samuel distinguished by the Lord ? 

17 What did all Israel hereby know ? 

18 What did Samuel do when he had his dwelling at Ramath ? 



SAMUEL, THE LAST JUDGE OF ISEAEL. 149 

here and passed through all the cities, and 
judged Israel many years, and he established 
schools of prophecy, in which men were edu- 
cated to instruct the people in the law of the 
Lord. And it came to pass when Samuel had 
grown old, that he made his sons judges over 
Israel, 19 but they walked not in his ways, but 
bowed themselves to avarice, and took bribes 
and perverted judgment. Therefore the elders 
of the land gathered themselves together and 
demanded of Samuel 20 that he should give 
them a king to rule over them. But the thing 
displeased Samuel greatly, until the Lord said 
unto him : 21 0bey their voices and give them 
a king ; and he did as the Lord directed him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Never judge hastily of others for you may 
chance to do them great wrong. 

2. You may see many bad examples ; but act as 
Samuel did, and you -will find favor in the sight of 
God and man. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Oh happy he, whose early life 

To God his maker 's given ; 
Whose soul is free from every strife, 

Whose thoughts are fixed on heaven. 

19 "What is related of the sons of Samuel ? 
* "What did the elders demand of Samuel ? 
21 "What did the Lord say unto Samuel, when the demands of 
the elders displeased him ? 

13* 



150 SAUL BECOMES KING OF ISRAEL. 

Each passion of rebelling youth, 
Each charm of sin has flown ; 
To God, to virtue and to truth, 
He gives his heart alone. 
Proverbs xxiii. 17. — Let not thine heart envy 
sinners : but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the 

day long. 

♦♦■ 

STORY 33- 

Sauf Gecomes tf)e cfirst Ring ooer Osraef, anb 
Dautb is anotnteb as §is successor. 

1 Samuel IX., X., XV., and XYI. 

So the people desired a king, and the Lord 
God not only granted their request, but even 
said unto the prophet Samuel : lr To-morrow about 
this time I will send unto thee a man of the 
tribe of Benjamin, him shalt thou anoint as a 
prince over Israel. And this came to pnss, for 
Saul was out 2 seeking the asses of his father, 
which were lost, and not being able to find them, 
came to Samuel 3 that he might, as a famous man 
of God, show him the way that he must go. 
When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him : 
^Behold, this is the man of whom I spake, who 
is to rule over my people, 5 and Samuel took a 

1 What did the Lord say unto Samuel when the people desired 
a king ? 

2 What was Saul seeking ? 

3 Why did he go to Samuel ? 

4 What did the Lord say, when Samuel saw Saul ? 
8 What did Samuel therefore do ? 



Story 33. 



Page 151. 




Samuel anoints Saul as King. 



152 SAUL BECOMES KING OP TSRAEL. 

vial of oil, and poured it upon his head and 
anointed him king. When he was going away, 
Samuel gave him certain signs by which he 
might know, that he was anointed king by 
order of the Lord, and he said unto him : 6 The 
spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou 
shalt be turned into another man ; and let it be 
when these signs are come unto thee, that thou 
do as occasion serve thee ; for God is with thee. 
And these signs came to pass ; 7 for among other 
things Saul was met by a company of prophets, 
and the spirit of the Lord came upon him, that 
he prophesied among them. And this is the 
origin of the proverb : Is Saul also among the 
prophets. When he had come home, he related 
all that Samuel had said unto him, but he did 
not tell of his having been anointed king. 
Thereupon Samuel called the people together at 
Mizpeh 8 that they might chose a king by lot. 
Now when the tribes were gathered together 
and had drawn, the lot fell upon the tribe of 
Benjamin, and of the families of Benjamin, the 
family of Matri was chosen, 9 and of this ftmily 
the lot fell upon Saul. When the people sought 
him, in order to name him king, behold he had 
hidden himself, and when he stepped forth they 

8 What did he say to Saul when he was going away ? 

7 How did the signs, which Samuel had given, come to pass ? 

8 Why did Samuel call the people together to Mizpeh ? 

9 Who was at length chosen by lot ? 



SAUL BECOMES KING OF ISEAEL. 153 

saw 10 that he was a bead taller than any of the 
people, and they were greatly rejoiced thereat, 
for in ancient times nations took great pride in 
the manly stature and figure of their kings. 
n Saul now commenced his reign most praise- 
worthily, 12 but afterwards he became disobedient 
to the commands of God, for by order of the Lord 
he was to have utterly destroyed the Amalekites, 
the men, and the beasts, and everything that 
belonged to them, and in this he disobeyed the 
orders of the Lord. Therefore the prophet Samuel 
declared unto him : 13 Thou hast rejected the word 
of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee. 
14 Saul tried to excuse himself, for the cattle 
which he had let live, pleading that they had 
been intended as burnt-offering unto the Lord; 
But God caused this answer to be made unto 
him : 15 Obedience is better than burnt-offering. 

At last Saul and Samuel met no more, and the 
latter was grieved, 16 that the Lord had over- 
thrown Saul. But the Lord asked Samuel : 
How long wilt thou mourn for Saul; and at 
the same time he commanded him 17 to fill his 

10 What did the people see, when Saul stepped forth ? 

11 How did Saul commence his reign ? 

12 But what happened afterwards ? 

13 "What did the Lord cause Samuel to declare to Saul on 
account of his disobedience ? 

u By what means did Saul try to excuse himself? 
18 What answer did God cause" to be made ? 
is Why was Samuel grieved ? 
17 What did the Loi d command Samuel to do ? 



154 DAVID IS ANOINTED HIS SUCCESSOR. 

horn with oil, and go unto Jesse, for of his sons 
the Lord had appointed one to be king over 
Israel. Samuel obeyed the voice of the Lord ; 
and when he had come to Bethlehem, he invited 
Jesse and his sons to a sacrifice. When the 
eldest came in, Samuel thought he was the 
appointed one, for he was tall and of a fine form ; 
but the Lord said : 18 Look not on the height of 
his stature nor on his fine person ; these things 
have I rejected, for a man sees what is before 
his eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart. 
19 Thus were seven sons of Jesse rejected in theit 
turn. Then Samuel asked him: Are these ah. 
thy sons? 20 Jesse answered : There remaineth 
yet the youngest, and behold he keepeth the 
sheep. And he sent and had him brought in. 
He was a ruddy youth with handsome eyes and 
a fine form, 21 and Samuel anointed him in the 
midst of his brothers, as the future king of 
Israel, 22 and from day to day he became more 
and more filled with the spirit of the Lord. 

18 What did God say unto Samuel when Jesse's eldest son, 
tall and well made, came in ? 

19 How many of Jesse's sons were rejected by the Lord ? 

20 What did Jesse say when Samuel asked him : Are these all 
thy sons ? 

21 What did Samuel do, when Jesse's youngest son appeared 
before him ? 

28 What more does the Bible say of David who was anointed 
king? 



DAVID AND THE GIANT GOLIATH. 155 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. God abhors pride and disobedience but honors 
quiet, modest virtue. 

2. Not the largest and har dsomest, but the best, is 
most agreeable in the sight of the Lord. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
The thrones of princes Lord to thee 

Are foot-stools for thy feet ; 
Kings are but dust ; they bow the knee 

Before the almighty's seat : 
They hold their thrones by grace divine — 
O'er all the world to rule, is thine, 

Thou holiest king of kings. 

Ecchs. x. 4. — The power of the earth is in the 
hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it 
one that is profitable. 



STORY 34. 

Daotb cmb tOe giant ijofiatlj. 

In the year of the world 2945, and before Christ 1059. 
1 Samuel XVII. 

x David could play upon the harp and on that 
account had become known in the court of Saul; 
2 for when the evil spirit tormented Saul, David 
played upon the harp and 3 the evil spirit de- 

1 How was David known at the court of Saul ? 

8 What tormented king Saul ? 

8 What happened to Saul when David played ipon the harp ? 



Story 34. 



Page 156. 




The Giant Goliath. 



DAVID AND THE GIANT GOLIATH. *57 

parted. 4 Therefore Saul loved David greatlj and 
made him his armor-bearer. Now it came to 
pass when Saul and his people were gathered 
together to war against the Philistines, and 
while they were encamped, "there came from the 
camp of the Philistines a giant, named Goliath, 
whose height was six cubits and a span. 6 He 
had a helmet upon his head and was armed with 
a coat of mail, and the staff of his spear was 
like a weaver's beam. This giant defied the 
children of Israel with scorn and said : 7 Choose a 
man and let him come down and fight with me ; 
if he prevail against me, then shall the Philis- 
tines be servants to the children of Israel, but 
if I conquer him, then shall the children of 
Israel serve the Philistines. 8 The giant contin- 
ued this boasting for forty days. 9 At last king 
Saul promised to give his daughter in marriage 
to him who should conquer the giant, 10 But no 
one seemed disposed to do battle against Goliath ; 
"little David alone was courageous enough to 

4 How did Saul act in the beginning towards David ? 
6 When Saul and his people warred against the Philistines, 
who came out from their camp ? 

6 What were the weapons of Goliath ? 

7 What did Goliath say, when he defied the children of Israel 
with scorn ? 

8 How long did the giant continue his boasting ? 

9 What did Saul promise to him who should conquer the giant ? 

10 Who seemed disposed to do battle against Goliath ? 

11 Who alone was courageous enough to brave the combat ? 

14 



158 DAVID AND THE GIANT GOLIATH. 

risk it. When Saul heard this, he sent for him 
and endeavored to dissuade him from his pur- 
pose, saying : 12 Thou canst not fight against the 
Philistine, for thou art but a youth, and he has 
been a warrior from his youth up. David 
answered : 13 Thy servant tended his father's 
sheep, and there came a lion and carried away 
a sheep from the middle of the flock, but I ran 
after him and struck him and saved the sheep 
from his jaws. But when he arose against me, 
I caught him by his mane and smote him, and 
slew him. And I did the same with a bear, and 
even so will I do unto this Philistine. The 
Lord who delivered me from the lion and the 
bear will also save me out of his hands. Now Saul 
consented and u caused David to be armed with 
a helmet and a coat of mail; but they were too 
heavy for him and he could not move in them. 
He put off his armor, 15 and took with him his 
staff and a sling, and five smooth stones from 
the brook, and put them into his shepherd's 
pouch. When thus he came to the giant, 
Goliath said unto him : 16 Am I a dog, that thou 

12 "What did Saul say unto David ? 

13 What answer did he give the king ? 

14 What weapons did Saul cause to be given to David when he 
granted his request ? 

15 What did David take with him, when he found the armor 
too heavy ? 

16 What did the giant say when he saw Davjd ? 



DAVID AND THE GIANT GOLIATH. 159 

comest to me with a staff? Hereupon David 
answered him, and said : 17 Thou comest to me 
with sword, spear and shield, but I come to thee 
in the name of the Lord of Hosts. And 18 David 
put his hand into his bag and took a stone and 
slung it, and smote the Philistine with it, that 
it sunk into his forehead, and he fell upon his 
face to the earth. David then took the heavy 
sword of the giant from its sheath and cut off 
his head therewith. Now when the Philistines 
saw that their champion had fallen, 19 they took 
to flight, 20 and the men of Israel pursued them, 
and slew them, and returned and plundered the 
camp of the Philistines. When Saul was 
returning home from the battle, he heard the 
women singing : 21 Saul has slain his thousands 
and David his ten thousands. ^This made the 
king wroth, so that from that hour he was 
angry with David. ^He did not obtain the 
king's eldest daughter in marriage, for she 



17 What answer did David make ? 

18 How did he overcome the giant ? 

19 What did the Philistines do, when their champion was 
killed ? 

80 What did the men of Israel do ? 

21 What did the women sing, when Saul returned home from 
the battle ? 

22 How did he receive this ? 

*» What did David fail to obtain, although Saul had given him 
W« word of promise ? 



160 DAVID AND THE GIANT GOLIATH. 

was given to another. But the other daughter 
named Michal loved David, and Saul promised 
her to him when he should have killed one hun- 
dred Philistines. He only demanded this in 
the hope that David might be slain. But the 
Lord was with David and he killed even more, 
for he slew two hundred of the Philistines, 
2 *whereupon he received the daughter of Saul 
as his wife. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Natural ability is an ornament, a recommenda- 
tion and an honor. 

2. Whoever relies solely on his own strength and 
power, often meets with failure ; but he who can rely 
upon God, is sure of success. 

3. When any one has acquired fame by his good 
works, we ought not to envy him, but should seek to 
acquire true praise for ourselves. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
If weak, in God place all thy trust, 

For wondrous is his power ; 
He shields this little form of dust 

In sorrow's darkest hour. 

Our God indeed can crush or raise ; 
But he who wanders in his ways, 
Will meet success and joy. 



14 Whom did David receive in marriage when he had stood 
th* trial? 



DAVID AND JONATHAN. 101 

Proverbs xvi. 18. — Pride goeth 1 :efore destruction, 
mid an haughty spirit before a fall. 



STORY 35- 

Dautb an& Oonatljaii, t(je troo frienbs. 

1 Samuel, XYIII., XX. 

After Goliath, the giant, had been overcome, 
thf) heart of Monathan united with the heart of 
David, and they made a covenant that they 
would always remain faithful friends. 2 In con- 
firmation of this covenant, Jonathan immediately 
took off his coat, and gave it to David, also his 
cloak, his sword, his bow and his girdle. More- 
over he soon gave David a proof of his friendship ; 
3 for when Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all 
his servants to kill David, he warned him 
immediately, and advised him to conceal him- 
self. Nay, he did still more ; for he spoke to 
his father in his favor, saying : 4 Let not the 
king sin against his servant, against David; 
because he has not sinned against thee, and his 
doings have been very useful unto thee. He 
has risked his life and slain the Philistine, and 
the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel 

1 With whom did the heart of Jonathan unite most intimately ? 

2 How did Jonathan confirm the covenant of friendship ? 

3 By what deed did he prove his friendship ? 

4 What representation did ht- make to his father respecting 
his intention ? 

14* 



162 DAVID AND JONATHAN, 

by him. That thou sawest and didst rejoice. 
Wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent 
blood, to slay David without a cause ? 

5 In the beginning, Saul followed the advice of 
Jonathan, and swore : As the Lord liveth, he 
shall not be slain. But soon after he was again 
filled with wrath, 6 and David was obliged to 
flee. On his flight. David, saw Jonathan at 
Ramah, and spoke : 7 How have I sinned 
against thy father, that he seeketh my life ? 
But Jonathan quieted him, and said : 8 Thou 
shalt not die, for all my father does, he tells me, 
and may the anger of the Lord fall on me, if I 
perceive any evil designs in my father against 
thee, and do not reveal them unto thee. On 
this occasion he renewed his covenant with 
David, for he loved him dearly, 9 he loved him 
like his soul. 10 Jonathan's own life even was 
endangered by his friendship for David ; for on 
one occasion, when the king asked for David, 
and Jonathan excused his absence, Saul became 
wroth, and exclaimed : "Disobedient miscreant, 

6 What did Saul do, in the beginning, at the remonstrances of 
his son ? 

6 But how far did David go at last ? 

7 What did David during his flight say to Jonathan ? 

8 How did Jonathan comfort David? 

9 How did he love David ? 

10 What happened to Jonathan on account of his friendship for 
David ? 

11 What reproaches did Saul address to Jonathan ? 



tjie two fkiends. 163 

T know thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to 
thine own confusion ; for as lc.ng he liveth on 
the earth, thou shalt never ascend the throne ; 
therefore send for him, he shall die. But 
quietly Jonathan answered : 12 Why shall he die ? 
what has he done 13 But Saul threw his javelin 
at him to fasten him to the wall. Jonathan, 
however, fled, and hastened to David, who was 
concealed in the field, and they took leave 
from one another, embraced and wept, and 
Jonathan said : 14 Go forth, and seek safety, for 
my father continues to persecute thee ; but 
what we two have sworn, in the name of the 
Lord, shall remain for ever. 15 David wandered 
about as a fugitive, but soon this friendship was 
dissolved entirely; 16 for a few years later, 
Jonathan, Saul and two brothers, were all slain 
on one day by the Philistines, with whom they 
were at war. David mourned for both Saul 
and Jonathan, and he sung a lament, in which 
lie said feelingly : 17 I am distressed for thee, 
my brother Jonathan ; very pleasant hast thou 
been unto me ; thy love to me was wonderful, 
passing the love of women. 

12 How did he defend David against Saul? 

13 What did the angry Saul do to Jonathan ? 

14 What did Jonathan say, when he parted with David ? 

15 Where did David tarry during this time ? 

18 What was the end of Saul, Jonathan and his two brothers? 
17 How did David lament over his fallen friend Jonathan ? 



lb*4 DAVID IS PERSECUTED BY SAUL. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Try early to gain faithful friends, but do not 
take every pleasant companion for your friend. 

2. Only pious and good souls can be faithful 
friends ; whoever is thoughtless or vicious is m 
capable of friendship. 

• 3. When thou hast a faithful friend, thank God, 
as for a special favor, and honor him for ever after. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
How vast must their advantage be, 

How great their pleasure prove ; 
Who live like brethren, and consent 

In offices of love. 

Eccles. xi. 15, 16. — Nothing does countervail a 
faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. A 
faithful friend is the medicine of life ; and that tte 
fear of the Lord shall find him. 



STORY 36. 

!Daotb is JTersecuteb Oi) Sauf. 

1 Samuel, XIX., XXI., XXIV., XXY1. 

King Saul owed a great deal to David > 'Foi 
<vhen there was another war with the Philis- 
tines, he went forth and Fodght a great battle, 
and they fled before him. Notwithstanding all 
this, David's life would not have been safe in 

1 For what was Saul much indebted to David? 



DAVID IS 1EESECU1ED BY SAUL. 165 

the house of Saul 2 if God had not watched ovei 
him, and guarded him from harm. Once the 
evil spirit came upon Saul, when David played 
before him upon the harp. 3 And suddenly 
Saul cast his javelin at him, thinking to pin 
him to the wall ; 4 but David avoided the spear,. 
and it entered into the wall. 5 And then Saul 
sent messengers, who were to guard him in his 
house, and kill him in the morning. 6 But 
Michal saw the guards, let him down through 
a window, put a wooden image in the bed and pre- 
tended that David was sick. Saul immediately 
ordered them 7 to bring before him the bed with 
the sick, but when the message came, behold! 
there was a wooden image in the bed, but Michal 
pretended to her father, who was angry, that she 
had allowed his enemy to escape and said : 8 1 
was obliged to do so, for he threatened to kill 
me. David now fled to Achish in Gath, but 
soon observed that here also, he was not safe. 
9 He therefore pretended to be mad, ran with 

2 Who watched over David, that no harm should befall hir 
in the house of Saul ? 

3 What did Saul do on one occasion when David was playing 
on the harp before him ? 

4 How did David escape from this danger ? 
6 What did Saul do then ? 

6 H ow did Michal save David ? 

7 What order did Saul give, when he was told that David was sick ! 

8 What did Michal pretend to her angry f*lher ? 

9 What did David pretend to be, to escape from his danger 
near King Achish? 



166 DAVID IS PERSECUTED BY SAUL 

his head against the wall, and foamed from the 
mouth. 10 And the king Achish exclaimed : 
Have I not mad men enough in the land ? rid 
me of this one. David, who had gradually 
gathered round him about two hundred men, 
now fled from one place to another; but where- 
ever he went, his Almighty Protector was with 
him. One day, he concealed himself with his lit- 
tle band in abroad cave, from the large army of 
Saul. 13 The latter came into the same cave, to 
repose there. His army was encamped at some 
distance. Saul had no idea, that there was any 
body in the cave beside himself and unconcern- 
edly fell asleep. But David had concealed him 
self with his followers in the back ground of the 
cave, and the life of him who wanted to kill him, 
was now in his hands. His companions advised 
him u to kill the king ; but he answered : 15 The 
Lord forbid that I should lay my hand on the 
anointed of the Lord. "However he cut off a 
piece of the skirt of Saul's coat, and when both 
had left the cave, David from a distance, showed 

J0 What did Achish say ? 

11 Who was ever with David on his flight ? 

12 Where did Saul conceal himself with his followers from the 
large army of Saul ? 

18 How did Saul meet with David ? 

14 What did David's companions advise him to do, when Saul 
had fallen asleep in the cave ? 

15 What did David say, when he declined this advice ? 

18 But what did he do, to prove to Saul, that he had been in 
hiB power ? 



-HAVID IS PEESECUTED BY SAUL. 167 

Saul the skirt of the coat, and said : 17 My father, 
behold the skirt of thy coat ; God has given you 
in my power this day. But I would not lay 
my hand on the anointed of the Lord. And Saul 
raised his voice and wept, and said : 18 Thou art 
more righteous than I ; for thou hast rewarded me 
good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. Yet 
Saul again took the field against David and slept 
in his camp. Not one of his men was awake, for 
the Lord had sent a deep sleep upon all of them. 
19 And David stepped into the camp, and God 
had given Saul again into his hands ; 20 but he 
only took the spear of Saul, which stuck in the 
ground near his bolster, and his cup. 21 When 
it was morning, David, from the top of a moun- 
tain, called down into the camp, and showed 
them the spear and the cup from afar. Then 
Saul spoke : 22 Behold, I have acted very foolishly, 
but return, my son David, no harm shall come 
to thee. And moreover he blessed him with 
these words. 23 Blessed be thou, my son David ; 
thou wilt no doubt ascend the throne and over- 
come thine enemies. David, however, thought 

17 "What did David say, when lie shewed Saul the skirt ? 

18 What did Saul answer ? 

19 What did David do, when Saul marched against him anew ? 

20 What did he take from Saul's camp ? 

21 What did he show Saul from a distance the ext morning? 

22 What did Saul answer ? 
83 How did he bless David ? 



&? DAVID IS PERSECUTED BY SAUL. 

*t safer to flee, ^and he went into the land of 
the Philistines, and remained there one year 
and four months. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. How praiseworthy, if any one can say to us: 
Thou hast done good unto ine, hut I have done thee 
evil ! but what a reproach ! if any one can say to us 
with justice : I have done good unto thee, and thou 
hast been ungrateful towards me ! 

2. When God puts it in our power to hurt an 
enemy, he furnishes us the best opportunity to 
manifest a noble mind. Let us profit by all such 
opportunities, as David did ? 

3. Our enemy even should honor, what is good in 
us, and we may even force him to bless us. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
He gives the conquest to the weak, 

Supports the fainting heart ; 
And courage in the evil hour 

His heavenly aids impart. 
Mere human energy shall faint, 

And youthful vigor cease ; 
But those who wait upon the Lord, 
In strength shall still increase. 
Bom. xii. 19, 20. — Dearly beloved, avenge not 
yourselves ; but rather give place unto wrath ; for it 
is written, vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith 
the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed 
him ; if he thirst, give him drink : for in so doing 
mou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 
24 Whither did David go now ? 



SAUL DIES, AND DAVID BECOMES KING. 169 

STORY 37. 

SauC bies, anb Dautb Oecomes Dvtng. 

In the year of the world 2950, before Christ 1054. 
1 Samuel, XXXI ; 2 Samuel, II., Y. 

In another war against the Philistines, Israel 
was defeated, and Jonathan and two other sons 
of the king perished. 2 The latter himself was 
wounded, and was hard pressed by the Philis- 
tines, and when he saw that he could not escape 
the enemy, he said to his armor-bearer : 3 Draw 
thy sword and slay me, that not these heathens 
may kill me and mock at me. 4 But when the 
armor-bearer would not lay hands on the anoin- 
ted of the Lord, he stabbed himself, and his 
armor-bearer did the same. The Philistines 
then insulted the body of Saul, and hung it over 
the walls of Beth-shan ; but the inhabitants of 
Jabesh, in Gilead, took it down during the night, 
burned it, and buried the ashes, under the tree 
at Jabesh, and mourned seven days. As soon 
as David heard this, he sent word to the inhabi- 
tants of Jabesh : 5 God bless you that you have 
buried Saul, and I will reward you for it. After 

1 Who fell in another war with the Philistines ? 

2 How had Saul fared in the battle ? 

3 What did Saul say to his armor-bearer ? 

4 What was the end of Saul. and his armor-bearer? 

6 How did David trank the inhabitants of Jabesh for having 
baried Saul ? 

15 



Story 37. 



Page 170. 




David sings Psalms. 



SAUL DIES, AN"D DAVID BECOMES KING. 171 

tht *eath of Saul, David became king; but at first 
only over the tribe of Judah, 6 for Abner, the 
Captain of Saul, had made Ish-bosheth king 
over the remaining eleven tribes. Afterwards, 
Abner, deserted to David but was murdered by 
his Captain Joab, 7 whilst Ish-bosheth was 
stabbed in his bed. The murderers thought 
thereby to find favor in the eyes of David, and 
brought him the head of Ish-bosheth and spoke : 
This is the man who sought thy life. 8 But 
David answered: As the Lord liveth, who has 
redeemed my soul out of all adversity, these 
men have slain a righteous man in his own 
house ; and he ordered them all to be slain. 
9 Altogether David was very kind towards the 
friends of Saul. Soon after he had come to the 
throne, he made inquiries, and said : Is there 
yet any body living of the house of Saul, that 
I may show him kindness ? They told him : 
Yes, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, who is 
lame of both feet. 10 Immediately he sent for 
him and gave him all the property of Saul, and 
sat him at his table. u It was therefore not 
until after the death of Ish-bosheth, that David 

£ Why was Darid in the beginning only Wag of Judah ? 

7 What was the fate of Ish-bosheth ? 

6 What did David say to the murderers of Ish-bosheth ? 

9 How did he act towards the relatives of Saul ? 

10 What did he do for the unfortunate Mephibosieth ? 

u When did David become king of all Israel ? 



.172 SAUL DIES, AND DAVID BECOMES KING. 

became king over all Israel, and ruled together 
forty years 12 with great wisdom and good fortune. 
13 He conquered Jerusalem and the neighboring 
citadel of Zion; ordered the ark of the covenant 
to be brought there, and regulated public 
worship. u Amongst other things he instituted 
music in the temple, by appointing four 
thousand singers and players on instruments; 
15 he also wrote himself many beautiful psalms, 
which still are edifying to many pious hearts. 
1(5 Yet he was not free from great misfortunes on 
his throne, for whom the Lord loveth he chas- 
tiseth; 17 but during all his great troubles, he 
trusted in God, wherefore he is called also : The 
man after God's heart. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. We should not deride the unfortunate (and 
even the wicked are unfortunate) after their death, 
nor insult them ; for this showeth a cruel heart. 

2. Whoever meets with difficulties and troubles in 
his youth, often profits greatly thereby ; whereas 
those who in their young days are free from cares 
and sorrows, frequently go to ruin. 

3. A pious and wise ruler is a blessing to a country ; 
therefore every one should honor and pray for him. 

12 How did he govern during forty years ? 

13 What happened during the government of David ? 

14 What did he do for the temple ? 

1 5 What did he compose for the edification of many ? 

16 Of what was king David not free ? 

" How did he behave in his great troubles ? 



DAVID AND BATH-SHEBA. 173 

PIOUS THOUGHT. 

Learn, then, ye princes ; and give ear, 

Ye judges of the earth ; 
Worship the Lord with holy fear ; 

Rejoice with awful mirth. 

If but in part his anger rise, 

"Who can endure the flame ! 
Then blest are they, whose hope relies 

On his most holy name. 
Peter ii. 7. — Fear God, honor the king. 



STORY 38. 

J)aotO anl) D3at{Hl)e0a. 

2 Samuel, XI., XII. 

Pious men also can fall again. Thus we see 
in David, Vhose sin, God has caused to be writ- 
ten down in the scriptures to warn us. 2 Once, 
king David was walking on the flat roof of his 
house, and saw in a garden a woman of great 
beauty. The king wished to make her his wife, 
and sent a messenger to inquire who she was. 
He learnt that it was Bath-sheba, Hhe wife of 
Uriah, who then was fighting the king's battles 
against the Ammonites. With this Bath-sheba 



1 For what purpose has God the sin of the other wise pioua 
David caused to be written down in holy writ ? 

2 Whom did David see from the roof of his house ? 

3 What did the king wish, when he saw the woman ? 
* Whose wife was Bath-Sheba ? 

15* 



174 DAVID AND BATH-SHEBA 

David committed a heinous sin. Immediately 
after he sent for Uriah, and after he had con- 
versed with him and eaten with him for two days, 
5 he sent him back again to the field, giving him 
a letter to Joab his captain, containing the fol- 
lowing words. 6 Set ye Uriah in the forefront 
of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, 
that he may be smitten and die. 7 And Joab did 
as the king had commanded him and Uriah was 
slain. ^Hereupon Bath-sheba went and mourn- 
ed, and when her mourning was past, 9 David 
sent for her to come to his house and made her 
his wife. 10 But this deed displeased the Lord, 
and he sent the prophet Nathan to him, who 
spoke thus : There were two men in a town, the 
one was rich and the other poor. 12 The rich 
had many sheep and mnny oxen, 13 but the poor 
had nothing but one lamb, which he had bought. 
This he reared, he and his children, 14 it ate from 

Where did David send Uriah again, after he had spoken to him ? 

6 What did the letter contain which David wrote to Joab his 
captain ? 

7 How did Joab obey the command of the king? 

8 What did Bath-sheba do when she heard of her husband's 
death? 

9 What took place, when her mourning was passed? 

10 Who was displeased with this deed ? 

11 What parable did Nathan relate to David? 

12 How did he describe the rich ? 

13 What did he say of the poor ? 

14 How did the poOi. 1 :ierish his lamb? 



DAVID AND BATH-SHEBA. 175 

his hand and drank of his cup, and slept in his 
lap ; and he kept it as if it were a daughter of his. 
But when a guest came to the rich man 15 he did 
not wish to kill one of his own sheep to feast 
his guest, 16 but took the sheep of his neighbor 
and prepared it for the guest who had come to 
see him. Thus spoke the prophet, and David 
who did not perceive, that this parable alluded 
to himself, became angry, and said : 17 As the 
Lord liveth, the man that has done this thing 
shall surely die, and shall replace the sheep four- 
fold. Then Nathan answered sternly and 
severely : 18 Thou art the man. The king was 
confused and remained silent, and Nathan con- 
tinued : Thus saith the Lord God of Israel : 1 
anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered 
thee out of the hand of Saul. Wherefore hast 
thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to 
do evil in his sight ? Thou hast killed Uriah, the 
Hittite, with the sword, and hast taken his wife 
to be thy wife. 19 David was frightened, bowed 
before the Lord, and said : Yes I have sinned 
against the Lord. But because his heart was 
*ull of sorrow and of repentance for this deed, 

:£ What would th f rich not kill, when he had a guest at hia 
house ? 

16 What did he prepare for his guest ? 

17 What did David say, when Nathan had finished ? 

18 What did the latter reply to the king ? 

19 How did David show his repentance ? 



176 DAVID AND BATH-SHEBA. 

Nathan comforted him, and spake : 20 As thou 
repentest of thy sin, the Lord will forgive 
thee. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whoever employs another to commit a crime, 
sins as grievously, as if he committed it himself. 

2. We often condemn others, and yet are more 
culpable than they. 

3. We should be ashamed to do wrong ; but when 
we have done so, we should not be ashamed to con- 
fess it. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

O thou that hear'st when sinners cry, 
Though all my crimes before thee lie, 

Behold them not with angry look, 

But blot their memory from thy book. 

My soul lies humbled in the dust, 

And owns thy dreadful sentence just; 

Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye, 
And save the soul, condemned to die. 

Psalm li. 10, 11. — Create in me a clean heart, 
God ; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me 
not away from thy presence ; and take not thy holy 
spirit from me. 

20 How did Nathan console lie king- again? 



ABSALOM. 177 

STORY 39. 

R 6 5 tt f m . 
2 Samuel, XIV. to XVII. 

Absalom, the son of David, was endowed 
with uncommon beauty. But his personal 
beauty was only equalled by the badness of his 
heart; J for even during the lifetime of his 
father he coveted the crown, sought to prejudice 
the people against his father, and to gain their 
approbation. 2 He sat down at the gate, and 
asked of the people who wanted to go to the 
king, what their business was with the king; 
and when they had stated their grievances, he 
answered : 3 Your cause is very just, but you 
will not obtain a hearing from the king. 4 0, 
that I were a judge in the land, and every man, 
who had cause to complain, should come unto 
me and I would see him righted. 5 He also 
gained over Ahithophel, the counsellor of his 
father and a man full of subtleties and cunning. 
When Absalom thought that his plans were 
ripe, he pretended to his father, "that he in- 

1 What proved that Absalom, so prepossessing in person, 
had so black a heart ? 

2 How did he try to gain the hearts of the people ? 

3 What did he reply, when people told him their grievances ? 

4 By what kind of language did he steal the hearts of the 
people ? 

6 Whom did he gain over tc his side ? 

6 What did he pretend to his father in order to execute his plans ? 



Story 39. 



Page 178. 




The death of Absalom. 



ABSALOM. 179 

tended to make an offering to the Lord at 
Hebron, and his father said : 7 Go in peace. But 
when he came to Hebron, 8 he tried to increase 
his party, and even had himself proclaimed 
king. Scarcely had David heard this, when he 
left Jerusalem and crossed the brook Kidron up 
Mount Olivet; but the inhabitants of Jerusalem 
wept aloud, and went with him. Here he 
heard that Absalom had formed a covenant with 
Ahithophel and prayed : 9 Lord, I pray thee 
turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 
On his flight he met, among others, a man of the 
house of Saul, whose name was Shimei. 10 The 
latter not only cursed the king, but also cast 
stones at him and his followers. It's true one 
of David's men offered to go and split the 
blasphemer's head ; but David said : n Let him 
curse, for the Lord hath commanded him to do 
so. 12 In the mean time, Absalom had held his 
entrance into Jerusalem, and when he advised 
with the elders, what was further to be done 
in the matter, there arose two opinions: 

7 With what words did David dismiss his son? 

8 What did Absalom do at Hebron ? 

9 What prayer did David utter when he heard that Ahithophel 
was an ally of Absalom ? 

10 What did Shimei do, when David was making his escape ? 
■" With what words did David restrain the man who wanted to 

kill the blasphemer ? 
12 What town had Absalom entered in the mean time ? 



180 ABSALOM. 

13 Ahithophel's advice was, to pursue David, fall 
upon him during the night, and kill him before 
he should have time to arouse himself. Hushai 
however, an old friend of David, said : 14 David 
is an experienced captain, and we must not 
risk a general battle until the whole nation is 
assembled. 15 After a long deliberation, Absalom 
rejected the advice of the subtle Ahithophel, 
and adapted that of Hushai. This was not done 
by accident; but Hushai was a faithful servant 
of David, and had remained in Jerusalem at 
his request, 16 that he might act for him. He 
immediately informed the king of what had 
occurred, 17 who set out with his people, and 
crossed the Jordan. Ahithophel, however, find- 
ing his advice rejected, and fearing the con- 
sequences, 18 hanged himself in his house. After 
this, a bloody battle was fought between the 
father and the son, in which David, however, 
agreeable to the wishes of his people, did not 
participate himself personally. 19 He had given 
orders to the captains to spare Absalom. 20 This 



13 What was Ahithophel's advice ? 

14 What proposed Hushai, an old friend of David ? 

15 Whose advice was rejected ? 

16 For what purpose had Hushai a faithful servant of David 
remained in Jerusalem ? 

17 What did David do, when Hushai '^formed him how matters 
stood ? 

18 What was the end of Ahithophel 

'• What orders did David give his Captains before the battle 1 
* How did the battle turn out foi Absalom ? 



ABSALOM. 181 

battle was unfavorable foi in* ^c^t, he was 
obliged to flee, and when he rode under an oak, 
his long hair became entangled in the boughs of 
the tree, his mule escaped from under him, and 
he was suspended between heaven and earth. 
As soon as Joab, one of the captains, heard this, 
21 he took three javelins, and with them pierced 
the heart of Absalom; he then ordered the 
trumpet to be blown, that there might be an 
end to the bloodshed of his fellow-citizens. 
Whilst these occurrences took place on the field 
of battle, David sat with a sorrowful heart 
under the gate of Mahanaim, waiting for news 
from the army. At last the messengers oi 
victory were seen approaching, and his first 
question was : How fares Absalom, my son ? 
And one of the messengers answered : All the 
enemies of my king should fare as Absalom has 
fared. Then David grew very sad, wept and 
lamented : 22 My son, Absalom ! My son ! My 
son ! Would to God that I had died for thee ! 
Oh, Absalom, my son ! ^ After this David was 
brought to Jerusalem by the rejoicing people, 
and among those who came to meet him was 
also Shimei, who fell down before him. Some- 

21 How did Joab kill Absalom ? 

22 What was the exclamation of David, when he learned the 
death of his son ? 

,s "Where did the people conduct David ? 
16 



182 OF KING SOLOMON. 

body advised the king to kill the blasphemer, but 
Daniel answered : Should any body die to-day ? 
w And he forgave him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Not the external advantages, with which a child 
is endowed, can make its parents happy, nothing 
but its piety and virtue can do so. 

2. A child may for a long time ill-treat its parents 
with impunity, and may be even apparently happy ; 
but God's curse is sure to overtake it in the end. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Have we not heard what dreadful plagues 

Are threatened by the Lord, 
To him who breaks his father's law 

Or mocks his mother's word ? 

But those that worship God, and give 

Their parents honor due, 
Shall long on earth in comfort live 
And live hereafter too. 
Prov. xiv. 26. — He that wasteth his father and 
chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, 
and bringeth reDroach. 



STOEY 4 0. 

.Of 3{tng Sofomon. 

1 Kings, II. to VII., and XII. 

Solomon, a son of king David, and of 
Bath-sheba, x had been brought up by the prophet 

24 How did he treat the blasphemer Shimei ? 
1 By whom was Solomon brought up ? 



Story 40. 



Page 183. 




Solomon's sentence. 



184 OF KING SOLOMON. 

Nathan and had become a wise youth. When 
David felt his end approaching, he ordered the 
priest Zadok to anoint Solomon king, and then 
spoke to him : 2 I go the way of all the earth : be 
thou strong, therefore, and show thyself a man. 
Walk in the ways of God, that thou mayest be 
wise in all thy doings, and all thy turnings. 
After this David died, and Solomon became king 
in his father's place. When after this, the young 
king came to Gibion to sacrifice, the Lord ap- 
peared to him in a dream and said : ask what I 
shall give thee. 3 Solomon asked of the Lord a 
wise and intelligent spirit, that he might rule 
well ; and the Lord was well pleased with his 
request, and 4 he gave him a wise spirit, so that 
there have been but few like him on the earth ; 
but he also gave him that for which he had not 
asked, namely riches, honor and long life. Soon 
an opportunity presented itself, to display his 
wisdom. Two women appeared before him and 
made a complaint. 5 They had dwelt together 
in the same house, and the one, in the night, 
had accidentally overlaid her child and killed it; 
she therefore took the dead child and laid it -in 

2 What were the parting words which David addressed to Sol- 
omon after he had him anointed ? 

3 What did Solomon ask of the Lord who had appeared to him 
in a dream ? 

4 What did the Lord bestow on Solomon at his request ? 
6 What complaint did two women bring before Solomon ? 



OF KING SOLOMON. 185 

the arms of the other woman, and took the liv- 
ing child unto herself. In the morning they 
quarreled about the living child, for both wanted 
it. 6 And as no one could decide whose was the 
child ; Solomon said : bring me a sword and cut 
the child in two. immediately one of them 
cried, full of anguish : Oh my Lord ! let her have 
the child, but let it live. * The other however 
said : 8 Be it neither thine nor mine, let it be 
divided. 9 The king immediately recognized the 
real mother of the child by these exclamations, 
and ordered it to be given up to her. Soon the 
wisdom of Solomon became so famous, that 
men came from distant lands to witness it. 
10 Also the queen of Arabia came once with a 
large suite of men and camels, and brought 
unto Solomon the richest of presents. When 
she was about to return to her country, she 
said to him : U I would not believe what I heard 
of you in my own country, until I had seen it 
myself. And lo! I had not been told one half. 
Thou hast more of wisdom and of prosperity 
than fame proclaims. 

6 When no one could decide to whom the child belonged, what 
did Solomon say ? 

7 What did one of ths women exclaim, when the child was to 
be divided ? 

8 What did the other woman say ? 

9 Whom did Solomon discover at once ? 

10 Who, among many other strangers, came to Solomon? 
11 What did the queen say to Solomon, when she left ? 
16* 



186 



OF KING SOLOMON". 



12 David's numerous victories over different 
nations procured for Solomon a long peace, and 
all the people of the land could live quietly 
under their fig trees and their vines. Solomon 
having no wars to prosecute, could attend to the 
building and improving of many edifices. 13 He 
therefore commenced to build a temple unto the 
Lord at Jerusalem, a costly edifice, u which it 
took seven years to build. When Solomon 
consecrated the temple the glory of the Lord 
appeared in a cloud, which filled the house, and 
Solomon stepped before the altar, spread his 
hands to heaven and prayed fervently. But 
particularly he prayed 15 that God would listen 
unto all the prayers, which would be pronounced 
in this temple, when war, famine and sickness 
should come into the land. After this twenty-two 
thousand oxen, and one hundred and twenty 
thousand sheep were offered, and Solomon feasted 
the people for a fort-night. 16 But the wise 
Solomon also committed great follies. The love 
of splendor and lust ruled him. As against the 
command of the Lord, he had taken many 

12 "What had the many victories of David prepared for Solomon ? 

13 To what could he therefore direct his attention during the 
time of peace ? 

14 How long did the building of the temple last ? 

15 What did Solomon pray when he dedicated the temple ? 
18 What did even the wise Solomon commit ? 



OF KING SOLOMON. 187 

heathen wives; these in his old age 17 led him 
into idolatry ; for which reason the kingdom 
was divided after his death. This took place 
immediately after he died, for his son Reho- 
boam acted so unwisely, l8 that he retained only 
the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, 19 and that 
the other ten tribes elected Jeroboam their king. 
Hence forward, the people of God had two king- 
doms, ^the kingdom of Judah and the kingdom, 
of Israel. 21 The kings of Judah dwelt in Jeru- 
salem, 22 and the kings of Israel at Samaria. 

Over Judah, altogether, twenty kings have 
reigned, 23 and among these only eight pious 
ones. Israel however, has been ruled by nine- 
teen kings, 24 and among all these there was not 
one who feared the Lord. 25 This first caused 
the downfall of the kingdom of Israel; for about 
seven hundred and thirty years before Christ, 
26 Salmanazzar, king of Assyria, led Israel into 

17 To what did the heathen women, whom he had taken seduce 
aim ? 

18 What tribes only did Eehoboam retain ? 

19 Whom did the remaining ten tribes elect king? 

20 Into what kingdoms were the people of God now divided ? 

21 Where did the kings of Judah dwell ? 

22 Where the kings of Israel ? 

8 How many of the twenty kings of Judah were pious ? 

u How many of the nineteen kings of Israel feared the Lord ? 

* 5 Which of the two kingdoms went to ruin first ? 

M Who led the Israelites into the Assyrian captivity ? 



188 OF KING SOLOMON. 

the Assyrian captiviy. ^About a hundred and 
thirty years after this, God also sent his judg- 
ment over the kingdom of Judah, 28 and deliv- 
ered it into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king 
of Babylon. ^The splendid temple was burnt, 
Jerusalem reduced to a heap of ruins, 30 and the 
people were led into the Babylonian captivity. 
31 Not until seventy years later, did Cyrus, king of 
Babylon, allow the Jews to return to their native 
land, until which time Jerusalem remained in 
ruins. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Wisdom and virtue should be the most fervent 
wish of our heart. 

2. "Whoever aims at the spiritual and eternal things, 
will also receive sufficient of the things of this world, 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

All seeing God! Thy piercing eye 
Can every secret thought explore ; 

May worldly cares our bosom fly, 

And, where thou art, intrude no more ; 

O may thy grace our spirits move, 

And fix our minds on things above. 

27 When did the judgment of the Lord overtake the kingdom 
cf Judah ? 

28 Into whose hands did it fall ? 

29 What became of the temple and of the city of Jerusalem ? 

30 Whither were the Jews led ? 

31 When did Cyrus give permisson to ti^e Jews to return to 
the land of their birth ? 



ELIJAH AND THE PEIESTS OF BAAL. 189 

Matthew, vi. 33. — But seek ye first the kingdom of 
God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall 
be added unto you. 



STORY 41. 

eftjaO anb tfje priests of Mai 

1 Kings, XVI. to XVIII. 

Ahab was one of the worst kings in Israel, 
and his wife Jezebel resembled him in every 
respect; x for they both served the idol Baal, 
and seduced nearly the whole of the people to 
participate in this idolatry. 2 To punish them 
God allowed neither rain nor dew to foil for 
three years and six months. When this had 
produced a great famine, the prophet Elijah, by 
the providence of God was fed by ravens, 
3 which morning and evening, brought him 
bread and meat to the brook Cherith. But also 
this brook dried up. 4 Then God told Elijah to 
go to Zarephath, where he had commanded a 
widow to supply him. On his entrance into 
Zarephath, he saw a widow picking up wood ; 
he asked her for a drink of water and a bit of 

1 Why are Ahab and Jezebel described as wicked ? 

2 For what time did the Lord allow no rain or dew to fall ? 

3 How was Elijah, the prophet, supported by ravens dtring 
the famine ? 

4 What did God command Elijah to do, when the brook Che- 
rith dried up ? 



190 ELIJAH AND THE PEIESTS OF BAAL. 

bread. But the poor widow said, 5 that she had 
only a little Hour and oil left which she in- 
tended to eat with her son, after which she 
expected soon to die with hunger! But Elijah 
said to her : 6 The flour in thy barrel shall not 
be consumed, and thy jar of oil shall not be 
empty until the day, the Lord will cause it to 
rain upon the earth. And so it came to pass ; 
for during the great famine the widow was 
enabled to provide for herself and the prophet. 
A year after, God said to Elijah : 7 Go and tell 
Ahab that I will cause it to rain in the land. 
8 When Ahab heard this, he went to meet Elijah 
and spoke : Art thou he that troubleth Israel ? 
But Elijah spoke to the king : 9 I do not trouble 
Israel, but thou and thy father's house trouble 
it, inasmuch as ye serve Baal. But come, 
gather on mount Carmei all Israel, and also the 
priests of Baal, who eat of the table of Jezebel. 
Ahab obeyed the word of the prophet, and th«? 
people of the ten tribes gathered on mount 
Carmei, also the priests of Baal, who numbered 
five hundred and fifty. Elijah then addressed 



5 What did the widow say, when Elijah aslnjd her for a drink 
of water and a bit of bread ? 

6 What did Elijah answer the widow ? 

7 What did God a year after say to Elijah? 

8 How did Ahab receive the prophet Elijah ? 
• What answer did he make to the king ? 



ELIJAH AND THE FK1ESTS OE* BAAL. 191 

the people and said : 10 How long halt ye between 
two opinions ? If the Lord is truly God, follow 
him ; but if Baal is God, do the same unto him. 
When the people made him no answer, ha 
ordered two bulkcks to be brought, and said to 
the priests of Baal, n that they should offer the 
one, and that he would offer the other and 
whatever (iod, said he, would answer with fire 
from heaven, 12 should be the true God. And 
the people answered : This is well. Then the 
priests of Baal commenced their offering, danced 
round the altar, and cried from morning till 
noon : 13 Baal hear us ! Baal hear us ! Towards 
noon Elijah mocked them, and said : 14 Cry aloud, 
perhaps Baal is lost in thought, or is busy, or is 
on a journey or sleepeth. And they cried very 
loud and cut themselves with knives, that the 
blood gushed out 5 but behold, 15 nothing could 
be heard. Then Elijah spoke : Come ye here 
to me all of you. And he took twelve stone?, 
according to the number of the tribes of Israei, 
built an altar with them, had the bullock killtd 



u What did he propose to the assembled people ? 

11 What did he say to the priests of Baal, after two bullocks 
had been brought ? 

12 What was that God to be, who would answer from he^""^ 
by fire ? 

13 How did the priests of Baal cry ? 

14 How did Elijah mock the priests of Baal ? 

15 What was heard even when they called very loud ? 



192 ELIJAH AND THE PRIESTS OF BAAL. 

and prepared the sacrifice. At the same time 
he h&cd a ditch dug round the altar, and had it 
filled with water, so that the altar stood in the 
midf-t of it. When all was ready he went up 
anil prayed : 16 God of Abraham, of Isaac and of 
Jac>0, make it known to-day, that thou art the 
Gcy\ of Israel. Hear me, Oh Lord ! hear me ! 
tliLi this people may know, that thou art the 
Loni God, and that these hearts may again turn 
to i nee. 18 Then the fire of the Lord fell from 
ht a ven, consumed the offering together with the 
a) tar and the water. When they saw this, they 
li on their countenance, and exclaimed : 18 The 
Lord is God ! The Lord is God ! Then Elijah 
raid unto the people : Seize the priests of Baal. 
£9 And the people seized them, and Elijah killed 
ihem at the brook Kishon, but there were eight 
hundred and fifty whom God had slain by the 
hand of Elijah. 20 Soon after the heavens were 
black with clouds and wind, and heavy rain fell. 
USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. When night is darkest, light is nearest; never 
doubt in God. 

2. He whose wishes are foolish, need not wonder, 
when they remain unfulfilled; God only hears pious 
prayers. 

16 How did Elijah pray to the Lord at the altar, he had built ? 

17 What took place at his command ? 

18 What did the people exclaim now ? 

19 What did Elijah do with the priests of Baal ? 

20 How did God put an end to the great calamity ? 



THE VINEYARD OF JSTABOTH. 193 

3. Do not set thy heart upon earthly things, other 
wise thou wilt serve the idol Baal, who will not hear 
thee when thou criest unto him. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

The God of Abraham praise, 

Who reigns enthroned above ; 
Ancient of everlasting days, 

And God of love ; 
Jehovah Great I AM, 

By earth and heaven confessed; 
I bow, and bless the sacred name, 

For ever bless'd. 

Jerem. x. 6, 7. — For as much as there is none like 
unto thee, O Lord ; thou art great, and thy name is 
great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King 
of nations ? for to thee does it appertain : for as much 
as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all 
their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. 



STORY 42. 

£(}e Tftnegarb of jlaQotlj. 

1 Kings, XXI., XXII. 

Naboth owned a vineyard at Jezreel near the 

palace of the king. 1 Now it came to pass that 

Ahab, king of Israel, coveted this vineyard 2 for 

an herb garden. He therefore spake unto 

1 Who coveted the vineyard of Naboth, which was in 
Jezreel ? 

2 Why did Ahab covet this vineyard ? 

17 



Story 42. 



Page 194. 




The stoning of Naboth. 



THE VINEYARD OF NABOTH. 195 

Naboth, and 3 offered him another vineyard of 
equal value, or the worth of it in money. But 
Naboth said unto him : 4 The Lord forbid that I 
should give the inheritance of my fathers unto 
thee! 5 Hereupon Ahab was angiy, and he 
went into his house and laid himself down upon 
his bed, and would *not eat. The queen Jezebel 
a most unrighteous woman, came unto the king 
and bade him be of good cheer, for that 6 she 
would find means of obtaining the vineyard of 
Naboth. So she wrote a false letter in Ahab's 
name to the elders and nobles of the city of 
Jezreel, where Naboth dwelt, Commanding 
them to proclaim a' fast and to procure two 
false witnesses who should testify : that Naboth 
had blasphemed God and the king; and that 
he deserved to be stoned to death. The elders 
of the city did as they had been commanded, and 
8 Naboth was taken and stoned till he died. As 
soon as Jezebel learned that Naboth was dead 
she went unto her husband, and said : 9 Arise and 

3 What did he offer Naboth for his vineyard? 

4 What answer did he give the king ? 

6 What effect did this answer have upon the king ? 

6 What did Jezebel say to cheer the king? 

7 What did Jezebel command the elders to do, in a false letter 
which she had written to them ? 

8 What happened to Naooth, when the elders did as they had 
been commanded ? 

9 What did Jezebel say unto the king when she had learned 
that Naboth was dead? 



196 THE VINEYARD OF NABOTH. 

take possession of the vineyard of Naboth, for 
he is no longer alive, but dead. And it came to 
pass, that just as Ahab was in the act of taking 
possession of the vineyard of Naboth the pro- 
phet Elijah came unto him, and said : 10 Thou 
hast killed, and also taken possession ; but in 
the place where the dogs licked the blood of 
Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood. And he spake 
also of the queen Jezebel, saying: u The dogs 
shall eat Jezebel by the walls of Jezreel. 12 Two 
years afterwards Ahab was severely wounded 
in a battle against the Syrians, and his blood 
flowed in his chariot. Even on the same day 
he died. When the chariot was washed, the 
dogs came and licked up the blood. 13 His son 
Joram, was torn from his throne by his captain 
Jehu and killed, and his body flung into the 
same field which had once belonged to Naboth. 
Jezebel, on the entrance of Jehu into the city 
of Jezreel, was looking from the window of her 
palace. 14 Jehu cried : throw her down ! and 
behold she who had murdered Naboth, was 

10 What did Elijah say unto Ahab, as he was about taking 
possession of the vineyard ? 

11 What did he say of Jezebel the queen ? 

u How was the vengeance of the Lord fulfilled on Ahab ? 

13 What was the fate of Joram, the son and successor of 
Ahab? 

14 What happened to Jezebel, as she was looking from the 
palace-window on the entrance of Jehu ? 



THE VINEYAKD OF NABOTH. 197 

thrown down into the street, even by her own 
people. Her body was trampled on, and 
devoured by the dogs. Besides Joram, Ahab 
had seventy sons and grandsons ; all these were 
slain together and their heads sent in baskets to 
Jezreel where Naboth owned a vineyard. 15 And 
nothing of the word of the Lord hath fallen to 
the earth, which the Lord spake concerning the 
house of Ahab. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. God's commandments are given, not only to the 
subject, but to the ruler, and the Lord punishes 
every transgressor without regard to his rank. 

2. Many men possessing great riches, embitter their 
whole lives by longing for trifles which they cannot 
obtain. This is not only a great folly, but a just 
punishment for their inordinate avarice. 

3. In each example of God's justice we cannot fail 
to note the truth of the remark of Jesus : with what 
measure ye meet shall it be meeted unto you. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Who e'er may scorn thy strength God, 

His speedy doom defying ; 
The petty earth-worm of the clod, 

Swiftly to death is flying. 

Thou sweep'st the sinner from thy path, 

His boasted strength unheeding ; 
For by thy mighty wrath of wrath 

He lieth crushed and bleeding. 

15 What is to be noticed of the hoise of Ahab ? 
IT* 



198 ELIJAH IS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN. 

Ecclesiastics v. 23. — Follow not thine own mind 
and strength, to walk in the ways of thine heart : 
and say not, who shall control me for my works? for 
the Lord will surely revenge thy pride. 



STORY 4 3. 

(gfijttO ts ta&en up into (jeaoen. 

2 Kings, II. 

And it came to pass that the Lord would take 
Elijah up from the earth, into heaven. There- 
fore Elijah said unto his servant Elisha : *Tarry 
here I pray thee, for the Lord hath sent me to 
Bethel. But Elisha to whom the Lord had 
revealed, what he intended to do with his pro- 
phet, answered and said : 2 As the Lord liveth, 
and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. 
When they had come unto Bethel, Elijah again 
said unto his servant: 3 Tarry here I pray thee, 
for the Lord hath sent me unto Jericho; but 
Elisha repeated his oath 4 that he would not 
leave him. When they had come to Jericho, 
Elijah again begged him to remain behind, say- 
ing, that the Lord had sent him to Jordan. But 

1 What did Elijah say unto his servant Elisha when the Lord 
nas about to take him up into heaven ? 

2 What did Elisha answer ? 

' What did Elijah again say unto his servant ? 
♦ What did Elisha repeat? 



ELIJAH IS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN. 199 

Elisha swore the third time : 5 As the Lord liv- 
eth and thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. 
On the way that they had journeyed, in every 
place, they met the sons of the prophets, who 
asked Elisha, if he knew that this day the Lord 
would take Elijah, away from among them. To 
this Elisha always answered : 6 Yea, I know it, 
hold ye your peace. Now fifty men of the sons 
of the prophets, went towards Jordan, and stood 
afar off to view the thing, which they knew 
would come to pass. And when Elijah had 
come unto the Jordan, he took his mantle, 
wrapped it together and smote the waters of the 
Jordan, 7 that they were divided, so that the 
two went over on dry ground. When they 
had come to the opposite shore Elijah said 
unto his servant : 8 Ask what I shall do for 
thee, before I be taken away from thee and 
Elisha spake unto him, and said : I 9 pray thee, 
let a double portion of thy spirit be upon 
me. 10 Thou hast asked a hard thing, an- 
swered Elijah ; nevertheless, if thou seest the 

5 How did he swear the third time ? 

6 What answer did he give to the sons of the prophets, when 
they told him that this day the Lord would take Elijah away 
from among them ? 

7 What happened when Elijah smote the waters of the Jordan? 

8 When they had come to the opposite shore, what did Elijah 
Bay unto Elisha ? 

9 What was Elisha's request ? 

10 What answer did Elijah make to this request ? 



200 ELIJAH IS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN. 

manner of my being taken from thee, it 
shall be so unto thee; if not, then hast thou 
no hope of it. While they were yet speaking, 
behold, "there appeared a chariot of fire, and 
horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; 
and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 
Elisha cried after him, saying : 12 My father ! 
my father ! thou who art a greater protection for 
Israel than chariots and horsemen, thou goest 
from us ! And he rent his garmencs and was 
sorely grieved. Elijah had let fall his mantle 
on his ascent to heaven, Elisha took it up, and 
smote the waters of the Jordan, and said : 
13 Verily, the Lord, the God of Elijah is with 
me : whereupon the waters divided instantly 
and Elisha passed through them. He felt that 
the spirit of his master had come upon him, 
u and shortly after he performed a miracle with 
the unwholesome waters of Jericho. For when 
the people said, unto him that Jericho was a 
pleasent place to dwell in, if they only had 
wholesome water, 15 he took a new cruse, filled 
it with salt and threw it into the spring, and the 

11 How was Elijah separated from Elisha ? 

12 What did Elisha cry after him ? 

13 What did he say, when he smote the waters of the Jordan 
with Elijah's mantle ? 

14 What did he do, when he felt, that the spirit of his master 
had come upon him ? 

'• How did he make the waters of Jericho wholesome ? 



ELIJAH 13 TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN. 201 

waters at once became wholesome. Now, 
when Elisha was going up from thence unto 
Bethel, where there was also a school of pro- 
phets, although there were still idolaters in the 
place, there came forth the children of the idol- 
ators, who mocked him and said unto him : 16 Go 
up thou bald head ; go up thou bald head ! 
Elisha turned back and threatened the children 
in the name of the Lord. "And there came forth 
two she- bears out of the woods, and tore forty 
two of them. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The departure of the righteous from this earth 
is always an instructive and moving spectacle. It 
was therefore that Elisha did not want to leave his 
faithful master. 

2. Even for the righteous, the way to heaver 
leadeth through the kingdom of Death ; but for him 
this is not the path of darkness, for he journey eth in 
a chariot of brightness. 

3. When we lose righteous and meritorious in- 
structors by the hand of death, we should pray to 
God that their spirit may rest upon us. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Oh when my destined course is run, 
When future life shall be begun, 
And the proud conquest's made ; 

16 What did the children of Bethel say, when they mocked Elisha? 

17 What happened, when Elisha turned and threatened the 
children in the name of the Lord ? 



202 ESTHER IS MADE QUEEN 

Then sovereign Lord of destiny, 
Oh take me to thy throne on high. 

Where joys can never fade ■ 
Oh let me with thy glorious Son 
Dwell, when life's fitful course is run. 

Wisdom of Solomon, v. 15, 16. — But the righteous 
live for evermore : their reward also is with the Lord 
and the care of them is with the Most High. There- 
fore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a 
beautiful crown from the Lord's hand. 



STORY 44. 

Cstljer ts made ilueen. 

Esther, I., and II. 

King Ahasuerus, probably the same who is 
known by the name of Xerxes, reigned over a 
hundred and twenty-seven provinces. Now it 
came to pass that this powerful monarch gave 
a great feast at Shushan, his palace, to all 
the princes and high officers of his king- 
dom ; a this feast lasted a hundred and twenty- 
eight days. 2 The drink was served in vessels of 
pure gold, which were continually changed, 
and every man could select his favorite drink 
from the rarest and most costly wines. These 
things were done by order of Ahasuerus, that 

1 How long did the feast last, which Ahasuerus gave to the 
princes and high-officers of his kingdom ? 

2 In what did the splendor and luxury of the feast consist ? 



Story 44. 



Page 203. 




Queen Esther. 



204 ESTHER IS MADE QUEEN - . 

the wealth and splendor of his kingdom, and the 
splendor of his majesty might be displayed. 
Now when the king was merry he sent seven 
chamberlains to Vashti the queen, ordering her 
to appear before him with the royal srown, 3 that 
all the princes and the people might behold her 
great beauty. In those days it was not custom- 
ary for the queen to appear publicly at the great 
feasts ; but at the same time the command of a 
king, even to his wife, was imperative and was 
not to be disobeyed. 4 But the proud queen 
Vashti refused to obey the order of her husband. 
This angered the king greatly, and he asked 
his counsellors what punishment his wife de- 
served for her refusal. The counsellors answered 
him, and said : 5 Vashti hath not alone done 
wrong unto the king, but unto all the land ; for 
hereafter all the wives of the people will follow 
this example, and will say among themselves: 
The queen refused to obey the commands of her 
lord, therefore we need no longer obey our 
husbands. 6 Hereupon the king put away 
Vashti, so that she dare not again appear before 

8 Why did the King order Queen Yashti to appear before him 
ar the feast ? 

4 What did the queen do, when she received the command of 
her husband ? 

6 What answer did the counsellors of the king give, whec 
they were questioned relative to the conduct of Vashti ? 

6 How was the queen punished? 



ESTHER IS MADE QUEEN. 205 

him ; at the same time he sent forth a decree 
through all his empire that the husband should 
be master in his own house. This event gav e 
rise to the advancement of poor Esther. 7 The 
king was now anxious to obtain another wife ; 
therefore all the handsome young women were 
gathered together, that he might choose a wife 
from among them. Among these was 8 Esther 
a Jewess, and an orphan, 9 who had been adop- 
ted by her cousin Mordecai, one of the Jews who 
lived in captivity. When the maidens were 
brought before the king, one after another, not 
one pleased him as well as Esther. 10 So he 
selected her as queen, and placed the royal 
crown upon her head. But in the beginning 
the king did not know that she was a Jewess 
u for Mordecai, her guardian, had advised her to 
keep this a secret. During the time she was 
being prepared to appear with proper adornment 
before the king, Mordecai walked every day 
before the royal court, for he was anxious to 
learn if Esther was well. By this means he 
overheard, 12 a conspiracy between two of the 
chamberlains who had sworn to destroy the 

What did the king now wish ? 

8 Who was Esther, whom they brought before the king? 

9 Who had adopted Esther? 

10 How did Ahasuerus honor Esther ? 

11 Why did not the king know that Esther was a Jewess ? 
w What did Mordecai overhear ? 

13 



206 ESTHER IS MADE QUEEN. 

king, and he accused them of it. 13 Ahasuerua 
caused the matter to be investigated and the 
two chamberlains, being convicted of treason, 
were hanged. 14 By order of the King, this 
event was written in the book of the chronicles ; 
but the reward which Mordecai had so well 
merited, was forgotten, as is but too often the 
case in this world. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. In prosperity, be not proud and overbearing, or 
thy downfall may be near. 

2. God often raised the lowly to honor, but such 
ought not to be forgetful of their former rank, nor 
neglect their humble parents. . 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

"W ho e'er shall rise in haughty pride, 

Shall fall but lower still ; 
And he shall e'en be glorified, 

Who yields to thee his will, 
Thou mighty Lord, so good and great, 

Man's proud and stubborn heart dost hate. 

1 Peter, v. 5. — Be clothed with humility : for God - 
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 

13 How did the King punish the traitors ? 

14 How was Mordecai's zeal rewarded ? 



HAMAN. 207 

STORY 45. 

•Daman. 

Esther, III. to X. 

^ICing Ahasuerus raised a man, named Haman 
above all the princes of his kingdom. 2 And 
every one was obliged to bow down before him, 
and do him honor; for the king had so com- 
manded it. But Mordecai who had been the 
guardian of Esther, the queen, refused to obey 
the order. Haman was very angry at this, and 
determined 'to revenge himself not only on Mor- 
decai but on all the Jews. To obtain this end 
he sought to influence the king against the Jews, 
telling him, Hhat their laws were very different 
from the laws of the Persians, and that they 
did not live according to the command of the 
king. 8 He also promised to obtain great wealth 
from the Jews, and to increase the treasures of 
the king by ten thousand talents of silver. The 
king, it is true, thought nothing of this wealth, 
but he sent forth a decree that 6 on an appointed 
day, all the Jews within his dominions should 
be put to death, and that the spoil should be 

1 Who was elevated to great power by King Ahasuerus ? 

2 How were the people obliged to show honor to Haman ? 

3 What did Haman determine to do, because Mordecai refused 
to do him honor ? 

4 How did Haman influence the king against the Jews ? 

• What did he promise to the king besides ? 

• What decree did the king send forth ? 



208 HAMAN. 

awarded to Hainan. This cruel decree was also 
given in the Palace of Shushan. As soon as 
Mordecai heard these things, he informed 
Esther, the queen, and prayed her not to 
7 foresake her people, but to save them from 
destruction. The queen earnestly desired to 
do this, but did not know how to make her 
petition to the king ; for it was a law 8 that no 
one, under the penalty of death, should appear 
before the king without being summoned. But 
if any one appeared before him unsummoned, 
and found favor in his sight, the king inclined 
his sceptre towards the suppliant, and his life 
was spared. Now Esther had not been called 
before the king for thirty days, and she dared 
not appear before him without a summons. At 
length she found courage, 9 dressed herself in the 
royal garments, and went accompanied by two 
of her maidens, unannounced into the royal 
court, where the king was seated upon his 
throne. At first Ahasuerus looked with anger 
upon her, 10 and she was frightened, and sank pale 
and fainting into the arms of one of her attend- 
ants. This so moved the king, that she found 

7 What did Mordecai request of Queen Esther ? 

8 How was the audience with the kiug restricted? 

9 What did the queen at length do, moved by the misfortunes 
of her people ? 

10 What happened when Ahasuerus looked with anger upon 
the queen ? 



HAMAN. 209 

favor in his sight, and he held out the golden 
sceptre to her, and Esther drew near and touched 
the point of it ; and the king said unto her : 
"Make what request thou wilt of me, and it shall 
be given unto thee, even it be half my kingdom, 
Hereupon she begged the king 12 that he would 
come to a banquet which she had prepared for 
him. and would bring Haman with him to the 
feast. And her request was granted. During 
the meal the king repeated his promise to grant 
anything she might ask, and said unto her: 
What doest thou desire that I shall do for 
thee? 13 Esther who was wise and prudent, 
begged that she might have till the next day to 
think of her request, and again invited the king 
and Haman to a banquet on the following 
day. 

Haman, highly pleased, was returning home ; 
but as he went through the gates of the city, he 
met Mordecai who did not even salute him. 
This angered him greatly, and he said unto his 
wife Zeresh, u that he took no delight in his 
wealth and honors, whilst the Jew Mordecai was 

11 What did the king say unto Esther, when she found favor 
in his sight ? 

12 What request did she make unto the king ? 

13 What request did she make, when the king promised her at 
the banquet to grant whatever she should ask ? 

14 What did Haman say unto his wif», ■when Mordecai let him 
pass without doing him honor ? 

18* 



210 HAMAN. 

alive. His ambitious and evil-minded wife at 
once proposed to him, 15 to build in the court- 
yard a gallows, fifty cubits high, and with the 
consent of the king to hang Mordecai upon it. 
But God determined otherwise. On the follow- 
ing night the king was unable to sleep, and he 
therefore commanded the chronicles of his reign 
to be read to him. Now it came to pass that 
they read to him of the treason of the two cham- 
berlains, which had been discovered by Morde- 
cai, and the king asked : 1(5 What honor has been 
done unto this man, who has saved my life? 
and they answered him, and said : "Nothing, up 
to this time ; his loyalty and truth remain 
unrewarded. As soon as it was morning Haman 
hastened to the court, to beg 18 permission of the 
king, that he might hang Mordecai. But on 
seeing him the king at once put the question to 
him : 19 What shall be done unto the man who 
the king delighteth to honor ? Haman answered 
him, and said : 20 Let the man be arrayed by one 
of the princes in royal apparel, and placed upon 
the king's horse, and let him be led through the 

15 What did his wife propose to Haman ? 

16 What did the king ask, when they read to him of the 
treason, which ha J be-sn discovered by Mordecai? 

r What answer did the king receive ? 

18 What favor was Haman about to ask of the king? 

16 What question did the king put to him ? 

10 What answer did Haman give ? 



HAMAN. 211 

streets of the city, the prince crying before him : 
Behold the man whom the king delighteth to 
honor. Ham an gave this counsel, 21 because he 
thought in his heart, to whom could the king 
wish to do honor but to myself? But behold the 
king said unto him : ^It is well, hasten, and do 
even as thou hast spoken, unto Mordecai the 
Jew. The feelings with which Haman was 
thus obliged to serve his deadly enemy can best 
be imagined ; but the order of his king had to 
be obeyed. When he returned home he related 
in the greatest rage to his wife, what had oc- 
curred, whilst he was still speaking, he received, 
by the chamberlain of the king, 23 the invitation 
to appear at the banquet of the queen. He 
went at once, little dreaming that he would there 
receive his sentence of death. Indeed no one ex- 
cept the queen, could have divined such a thing. 
Now when the king had drank wine and was 
well pleased, he again said unto Esther, his wife, 
24 that she should make known her request. The 
queen now revealed to her husband, 25 that she 
was a Jewess, and begged that 26 he would not 

21 Why did lie give this counsel ? 

22 What did the king hereupon say to him ? 

23 What invitation did Haman receive when he had returned 
home? 

24 What did the king say when he was well pleased ? 

25 What did the Queen now disclose to her husband ? 
*• What request did she make of the king ? 



212 HAMAN. 

cause all her people to be destroyed. Who has 
dared, cried the king, to presume in his heart to 
do this thing. The queen answered him, and 
said : 27 This wicked Haman is the adversary 
and enemy of my people. When the king heard 
this 28 he stood up in anger, and went into the 
garden. Haman had humbly fallen at the 
queen's feet; but when the king came back 
and saw him lying at her feet, he cried full of 
wrath : 29 Will he slay the queen also before me 
in the house, and he ordered him 30 to be hanged 
upon the same gallows which Haman had 
erected for Mordecai. 31 His sons also were 
hanged by his side. 32 After that, Mordecai 
was appointed to fill the place which Haman 
had held at the king's court. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whoever discloses the crime which others are 
about to perpetrate, renders great service ; but who- 
ever conceals a crime, is a partaker of the sin, which 
could have been prevented by him. 

2. The advice of strangers should always be care- 
fully tested, that we may not thereby be misled into sin. 

27 What did the queen name, as the adversary and enemy of 
her people ? 

^ What did the king do in his anger ? 

29 What did he say when he saw Haman lying at the feet of 
the queen ? 
30 What did he command his servants to do with Haman? 

31 What was the fate of Haman's sons ? 

" How was Mordecai's loyalty rewarded ? 



job. 218 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

O may some faithful counsel guide 

My erring steps from sin I 
May friend and foe be reconciled, 

E'er our new life begin ! 
And may my hand be ever near 

To guide and to assist. 
To lead men from all dangers here, 

From storm, and cloud, and mist. 

Ecclesiastieus, is. 14. As near as thou canst, guess a1 
thy neighbor, and consult with the wise. 



STOKY 46- 

OoG. 

Book of Job, I., II. and XLIII. 

There was a man in the Land of Uz, whose 
name was Job, a a righteous man who feared 
God and avoided evil. At the same time he 
was very fortunate, 2 for he had seven sons and 
three daughters who lived in harmony and love, 
and gathered together on each other's birth-days 
to celebrate them cheerfully. s He also owned 
such immense herds of camels, oxen and other 
cattle, that he was known as one of the richest 
men in all the land. As often as his children 
celebrated a family feast, this pious father 

1 What kind of a man was Job ? 

2 Why was he also a very fortunate man ? 

What do the sacred writings tell of the riches of Job ? 



Story 46. 



Page 214. 




Job. 



job. 215 

offered burnt-sacrifices unto tine Lord, fearing 
lest his children might have sinned, and not 
remembered God in their hearts. Now there 
was a day when the angels of God came to 
present themselves before the Lord, and Satan 
came also among them. God spake unto him, 
and said: 4 Whence comest thou? and he 
answered : I have been wandering through the 
earth. And the Lord God spake unto him 
again, asking him if he had considered his 
servant Job, who was unequalled in righteous- 
ness by any one on earth. Satan answered, 
and said : 5 Thinkest thou Job is righteous for 
naught ? Hast thou not given him great wealth 
and riches ; take these from him, and his right- 
eousness will soon be at an end. Hereupon the 
Lord spake unto Satan : 6 I give all his posses- 
sions into thy hand, only over himself hast 
thou no power. Satan hastily left the presence 
of the Lord, and immediately after, Job received 
four very mournful messages. The first messen- 
ger told him 7 that a band of wandering Arabs 
had robbed him of his oxen and his asses; 
he had scarcely ceased speaking, when another 

4 What did the Lord say unto Satan, when he appeared 
before him among the angels ? 

5 What answer did Satan make concerning Job ? 

6 What did the Lord again say unto Satan ? 

7 What mournful news did the first messenger bring to Job t 



216 job. 

came and informed him, 8 that fire from heaven 
I, ad destroyed his flocks of sheep. While he 
was still speaking, a third messenger told him, 
'how the Chaldeans had driven away his camels. 
A fourth now broke in, and said : 10 The house in 
which thy children were, has fallen to the 
ground, and they all lie buried beneath the 
ruins. These were plans which Satan had 
devised to destroy Job, who, although, at first 
half beside himself with grief, soon recovered, 
and said : "The Lord gave and the Lord hath 
taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. 
After this the angels of God again appeared 
before the Lord, and Satan was with them as 
before. Then the Lord spake unto Satan, and 
asked him, 12 if he did not at length see that Job 
was righteous in his heart ; for that he had lost 
all things and that he still remained faithful 
unto the Lord ? Satan answered him, and said : 
13 This is even nothing, put forth now thy hand 
and touch his body, and thou wilt see that his 
righteousness will soon be disregarded. And God 
gave the body of Job into the hands of Satan, 

8 Of what did the second inform him ? 

9 What did the third tell him ? 

10 What did the fourth say ? 

11 What did Job say when he heard these things ? 

u What did the Lord say to Satan, when he again Appeared 
before him ? 
13 What answer did Satan make ? 



job. 217 

and gave him power over it, but at the same 
time commanded him 14 to spare his servant's 
life. 15 So Satan departed from the presence of 
the Lord and covered Job with sore boils from 
the sole of his foot unto the crown of his head. 
Job now suffered the greatest pain, and went 
and sat among the ashes as a mourner. In the 
midst of his misery his wife spake unto him : 
16 Dost thou still retain thy righteousness ? 
Renounce God who is no longer with thee, and 
die. But he reproved her, and said : Thou 
speakest as one of the foolish women. And 
after that came three of his friends unto him, 
to comfort him, but their speech was always, 
that 17 he must have deserved this punishment, 
for that God was a just God. But in this they 
did injustice unto Job, for 18 God not only pun- 
ishes the wicked, but often sends sorrow to the 
righteous in furtherance of his own wise ends. 
Job thought himself entirely guiltless in the 
sight of God and therefore glorified himself, and 
said unto his comforters : 19 My conscience does 

14 What command did God give, when he left the body of Job 
in the power of Satan ? 

15 How was Job afflicted? 

16 What did Job's wife say unto him in his misery ? 

17 What did his friends think, when they came to comfort him 
in his sorrow ? 

18 How did they thus do injustice unto Job ? 

19 How did Job glorify himself? 

19 



218 job. 

not disturb me, even for all the acts of my life. 
But this was even too vain-glorious, ^for what 
man can say : before God am I pure in my heart 
and there is no sin in me. So they quarrelled 
and debated one with another, and Job said 
unto his friends ; Ye are indeed but sorry com- 
forters. 21 0nly once did his sufferings overcome 
him, and he cursed the day of his birth; with 
this exception he bore the cross with patience 
and never forsook his righteousness. At length 
God decided the matter of dispute between Job 
and his three friends. He revealed himself in 
a whirlwind and convinced both parties that 
they were wrong, whereupon Job at once 
acknowledged his error, and bowed himself in 
the ashes and did penance unto the Lord. '^Af- 
ter these things, Job received *rom God two- 
fold all that Satan had taken away from him, 
and there were even born to him again, seven 
sons and three daughters. 23 Job lived in his 
renewed prosperity a hundred and forty years, 
and saw his children and his children's children, 
even four generations. 

20 Why was this too vain-glorious? 

21 How did he bear his afflictions ? 

32 How was he recompensed for his losses ? 

" How long did J ob live in his renewed prosperity ? 



THE THEEE MEN IN THE FIERY FIRNACP 219 

USEFUL LESSONS. 
1 Eighteousness is not always a safe guard against 
sorrow; but through righteousness we are enabled to 
bear every sorrow with patience and resignation. 

2. Affliction is the best test of righteousness, who, 
ever is pious in the days of prosperity, and does not 
forsake his God in the hour of adversity, is righteous 
even in his very heart. 

3. When righteousness has been tested by affliction 
and is not found wanting, it always meets with a rich 
and glorious reward ; not always in outward fortune, 
but in inward satisfaction and happiness. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
To God on high sing glorious praise, 
Through all my life, his wondrous ways 

Unto my soul are given, 
A father's love attends me here, 
I know his hand is ever near 
To guide me on to heaven. 
Psalms, xcvii. 11. Light is sown for the righteous 
and gladness for the upright in heart. 



STORY 47 . 

Sfje tljree men in t(je ftern furnace. 

Daniel, II. 

x The king Nebuchadnezzar caused an idol to 
to be made, an image of gold which was sixty 
cubits in height and six cubits in breadth, and 
had it erected on a beautiful plain in Babylon. 

1 What did Nebuchadnezzer cause to be erected in Babylon? 



220 THE THREE MEN IN THE FIERY FURNACE. 

2 Then all his subjects were commanded to 
assemble before the image, to be present at the 
dedication thereof, and who ever refused to 
obey this order, 3 was to be cast into a fiery fur- 
nace. Now when the loud music of trumpets 
harps and dulcimers, gave the first signal for the 
worship of the image, all the assembled people 
fell down before the idol and worshiped. But, 
three captive Jews who held considerable offices 
of trust under the king, refused to do this ; the 
names of the three men were 4 Shadrach, Me- 
sh ach, and Abednego. The king commanded 
them to be brought into his presence, and again 
ordered them 5 to fall down before the image, 
under the penalty of being thrown into the fiery 
furnace, if they again refused ; he even used the 
blasphemous words : We shall see who is the God 
that will deliver you out of my hands. The men 
answered him, saying: 6 Our God is indeed able 
to save us from the fiery furnace, and to deliver 
us out of thy hands, but if this is not his pleasure, 
be it known unto thee king that we will not 

2 What command did lie give his subjects ? 

3 "What punishment was to be inflicted on those who should 
refuse to do honor to the image ? 

4 What were the names of the three Jews who refused to 
worship the idol ? 

5 What did the king command the men to do under penalty 
of being thrown into the fiery furnace, if they again refused ? 

6 What answer did they give the king ? 



THE THREE MEN" IK THE FIERY FURNACE. 221 

worship thy golden image. Then was the king 
full of fury and in his rage he commanded 7 the 
furnace to be heated seven times as hot as it 
was wont to be. Hereupon some soldiers came 
and bound the three men, and threw them into 
the fiery furnace, in their clothes, as they were. 
The heat of the fire was so great that the three, 
soldiers who threw them into the furnace 
were suffocated by the flames and died. 8 But 
the three, who had been condemned, not only 
walked about in the midst of the fire, unhurt* 
and uninjured, but an angel was with them in 
the furnace and turned the flames away from 
them. 9 They even sang a song of praise to the 
Lord who had delivered them. Nebuchadnezzar 
looked into the furnace and saw that 10 there 
were four men walking about, although he 
had only caused three to be thrown therein. 
And he cried aloud, saying: what does this 
mean, lo, I see four men and n the fourth is like 
unto the son of God. Thus he saw that 12 there 
was a God who could deliver out of his power, 
and he went near unto the mouth of the fur- 

7 What did the king, in his rage, command to be done ? 

8 What happened to the condemned in the fiery furnace ? 

9 What did they sing unto the Lord ? 

10 What did Nebuchadnezzer see, when he looked into the 
furnace ? 

11 Like whom did the fourth appear to the king*? 
u What did this show to the king 

19* 



!22 THE THREE MEN IN THE FIERY FURNACE. 

aace and cried unto the men 13 that they should 
jome out. 14 When they had come forth from 
the midst of the fire, behold their hair was not 
even singed, nor was the smell of fire to be found 
apon them. Then Nebuchadnezzar honored 
jod, and made a decree 16 that no one should 
Dlaspheme the God of Shadrach> Meshach and 
A.bednego. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Truth and righteousness we ought to defend even 
unto death ; and we shall have God for a protector, 
as in the case of these three steadfast worshippers of 
the Lord. 

2. Nebuchadnezzer wanted to show, that nothing 
could withstand his power, whereas he was forced to 
acknowledge that it was futile when opposed to the 
omnipotence of God 

3. By steadfast piety, which endureth even in sorrow 
and suffering, the heart of the wicked is often moved 
and converted ; Nebuchadnezzer proved this. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

O give to me the hero's pride, 

Who for his God hath nobly died; 

Who e'en his heart's best blood hath given, 

And in his cause hath proudly striven : 

Oh that my swelling soul could claim, 

The glory of a martyr's fame. 

13 What did he cry unto the men who were in the furnace ? 
u How did the men come forth from the midst of the fire? 
u "W hat decree did Nebuchadnezzer make ? 



DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN. 223 

Yield Lord, I pray, such help to me 
That in the future I may see 
Nought but enticing here on earth ; 
That I may stand in faith and worth, 
Fast by the cross where Jesus bled, 
Until to heaven my soul has fled. 

Ecclesiastieus, iv. 28. Strive for the truth unto death, 
&nd the Lord shall fight for thee. 



STOEY 4 8. 

Bamef m tpe Eton's ben. 

Daniel, VI. 

When Darius reigned over the kingdom of 
Babylon, he appointed a great number of princes, 
who should be governors over the people, and 
over these princes he placed three presidents, 
who had the highest authority. 1 The first of 
these was Daniel, one of the Jews who were in 
captivity ; 2 and the king thought to set him over 
the whole realm, on account of his great wisdom. 
3 The other princes and rulers were envious and 
jealous of Daniel, and they sought an oppor- 
tunity to destroy him. But they were unable to 
find any cause of complaint against him, for he 
was very faithful in the discharge of the duties 

1 Who was the first of the three presidents whom Darias ap- 
pointed over the princes of Babylon ? 
* Why did the king think to set Daniel over the whole realm ? 
3 Why did the other princes and rulers seek to destroy him ? 



Page 224. 



Story 48. 




Daniel in the Lion's den. 



DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN. 225 

of his important office ; Hhey then determined 
to make his righteousness the means of his over- 
throw. They persuaded the king to establish a 
decree which Daniel could not obey; for it was 
commanded, that 5 for thirty days, no man should 
ask a petition of any God, but that all prayers 
and petitions should be addressed to the kiug of 
Babylon ; 6 and it was further decreed, that any 
one who should violate this law and offer a peti- 
tion to any God, should be cast into the den of 
lions. Daniel did as his enemies had expected ; 
7 he continued daily to pray to God. 8 Three 
times a day he knelt upon his knees before the 
open window of his house, praised God, thanked 
him for his goodness and recommended to him 
his wishes. His enemies informed the king of 
this, and although Darius would gladly have 
saved his faithful servant, these wicked men 
knew how to effect his destruction, and 9 had him 
thrown into the lion's den. But before this was 
done, the king spake unto Daniel, and said, 
with a sincere heart: 10 Thy God whom thou 

4 How did they determine to effect his overthrow ? 

5 What decree did they persuade the king to establish ? 

6 What punishment was further decreed against whomsoever 
should violate this law ? 

7 What did Daniel do in spite of the king's decree ? 

8 How did he perform his duties to God ? 

9 What did the enemies of Daniel know how to effect? 

10 What did the king say unto Daniel, before he was thrown 
into the lion's den ? 



226 DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN. 

servest continually, will deliver thee. Darius 
also sealed the stone which closed the entrance 
to the lion's den with his own signet, n that no 
one might do harm unto Daniel. May thy God 
deliver thee, cried the king, and he returned to 
his palace ; 12 and he was much grieved, and 
could neither eat nor sleep. Then the king 
arose very early in the morning, and went him- 
self to the den of lions, and cried aloud : 13 
Daniel, servant of the living God, has thy God, 
whom thou servest continually, been able to 
deliver thee from the lions ? Daniel answered, 
and said : 14 Yes, king ! My God hath sent 
his angel and hath shut the lions mouths that 
they have not hurt me. 15 Then the king was 
very glad and commanded Daniel to be taken out 
of the lion's den, and when he had come out he 
was without a wound, 16 because he believed and 
trusted in his God. 17 But the men who had 
accused Daniel, and their wives and their child- 
ren, were thrown into the lion's den, and as soon 
as they reached the bottom of the pit they were 

11 Why did the king seal the entrance of the den ? 

12 How fared it witlfthe king, when he returned to his palace ? 
15 What did the king cry aloud, when he went on the following 

morning to the lion's den ? 

14 What answer did Daniel make ? 

15 What command did the king give, when he was glad of th6 
deliverance of Daniel ? 

i6 Why was Daniel without a wound ? 
17 What was the fate of his accusers ? 



DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN. 227 

torn and devoured by the lions. Then the king 
sent forth a decree, 18 that every one should fear 
and do honor unto the God of Daniel ; 19 for, said 
he, in his command : he is the living God and 
steadfast forever, and he delivereth and rescueth. 
^After these things Daniel became a mighty 
ruler in the kingdom of Darius. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whoever does his duty faithfully, and is right- 
eous in his heart, is safe against the false charges of 
his enemies ; and this consciousness is a comfort at all 
times. 

2. There are times when we have to suffer for 
our religion ; but this is honor in the sight of God 
and man. Daniel, Our Saviour, Stephen, John Huss, 
Luther and many others are examples of this kind. 

3. If you are obliged to undergo dangers, in the 
service of God, meet them with a bold spirit and with 
confidence in the Lord. God can deliver you, even 
when surrounded by death. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
To thee Lord all thanks and praise ; 

"We worship, honor and adore ! 
Oh come ye hosts of heaven, and raise 

The music of the vocal choir. 
Our God alone is Lord of earth, 
Nought can compare with his high worth 

So perfect and so pure. 

18 What decree did the king now send forth ? 

19 What declaration did he make in this decree ? 
80 How fared it with Daniel after these things ? 



228 THE PROPHET JONAH. 

Psalms, lxviii. 20. He that is our God is the God oi 
salvation ; and unto God the Lord belong the issues 
frcra death. 



STORY 49. 

Sf)e prop (jet 3ona0. 

Jonah, I. to VI. 

2 Nineveh was a very rich and populous city 
in Assyria. 2 The people of this place were 
wicked and dissolute, and the Lord was greatly 
displeased with them. But not wishing to des- 
troy them, he sent his prophet Jonah 3 topreach 
repentance unto them. 4 Jon ah sought to avoid 
the command of the Lord by going into a ship, 
and fleeing to a distant city. But who can 
escape from God, and where can we go that he 
cannot find us. 5 The Lord sent a great tem- 
pest after Jonah, in the sea, so that the ship 
was in great danger of being swallowed up by 
the waves. 6 Then the sailors, who were all 
heathens, cried aloud, each unto his own god, 
and threw all the goods into the sea, in order to 

1 Where was the city of Nineveh situated? 

2 Why was the Lord displeased with the people of that 
place ? 

3 Why did he send Jonah to Nineveh ? 

* How did Jonah seek to avoid the command of the Lord? 
6 What did God spnd after Jonah ? 

• What did the sailors do during the tempest ? 



THE PEOPHET JONAH. £29 

lighten the vessel. But it was all of no avail. 
Then the master of the ship went unto Jonah, 
who was sleeping in the cabin of the ship, and 
woke him, and said unto him : 7 Arise, call upon 
thy God; perhaps he will harken unto thee, 
that we may not all sink. But as the storm 
still continued they concluded 8 that there must 
be some great sinner among them, and that on 
his account the storm had come upon them, and 
therefore, 9 they drew lots to determine who was 
the guilty one. 10 The lot fell upon the prophet 
Jonah. n He at once acknowledged his sin, and 
told how he had disobeyed God, and was trying 
to escape from him. The sailors at first hesita- 
ted 12 whether or not they should throw the 
prophet into the sea; but when he himself 
advised them to do so, they prayed unto God, 
and said : 13 Lord ! lay not upon us innocent 
blood ; and they threw him into the sea. Jonah 
had scarcely touched the water, 14 when the sea 

7 What did the master of the ship say to Jonah when he woke 
him? 

8 To what conclusion did the sailors come, when the storm 
continued ? 

9 What did they therefore do ? 
"On whom did the lot fall ? 

11 What did Jonah at once acknowledge ? 
u What did the sailors at first do ? 

13 What did they pray unto God before throwing Jonah into 
the sea ? 

14 What happened after Jonah was thrown overboard ? 

20 



230 THE PROPHET JONAH. 

became still and the tempest ceased. But the 
Lord did not intend that Jonah should be 
drowned, and 15 had prepared a great fish to 
swallow him. And Jonah was alive in the 
fish three days and three nights. Now he 
cried unto the Lord from his prison, 16 and 
the Lord heard his prayer, which ascended unto 
him, even from the depth of the sea, and he 
commanded the fish to vomit Jonah unharmed 
upon the dry land. Hereupon God commanded 
Jonah a second time, 17 that he should go unto 
Nineveh and preach repentance to the people. 
He did as he was commanded, and at the same 
time 18 threatened the inhabitants of Nineveh, 
in the name of the Lord, that if they did not 
turn from their wickedness in forty days, the 
city should be overthrown. 19 When the people 
heard this they repented and turned again unto 
the Lord. ^Even the king laid off his purple 
robe, and covered himself with sack-cloth and 
sat in the ashes, as a sign of his repentance. 
Besides this, he sent forth a decree throughout 



15 How did the Lord save him from being drowned? 

16 What happened when Jonah cried unto the Lord ? 

17 What did God again command Jonah, after he had been 
thrown up by the fish, upon dry land? 

18 With what did Jonah threaten the people of Nineveh in the 
name of the Lord? 

19 What impression did this threat make upon them? 
ao How did even the king show his repentance ? 



THE PROPHET JONAH. 231 

Nineveh that every one, not only man, but also 
the cattle which were within the city, should 
fast, 21 in order that man might be admonished by 
the lowing of the animals, to turn from his 
sinfulness. When now the Lord saw that they 
turned from their evil ways, 22 he forgave them 
in his great mercy, and the city of Nineveh was 
not overthrown. But it displeased Jonah greatly 
23 that his prophecy had not been fulfilled, 24 and 
he even wished himself dead. In his sadness 
he went out of the city and built himself a hut, 
25 that he might see what would become of the 
city. 26 Then the Lord God caused a gourd to 
grow, so that the leaves served as a shade for 
Jonah's head. Jonah was very glad of this, but 
his joy did not last long; ^for there came a worm 
that so destroyed the gourd, that it withered. 
Now when the sun shone fiercely upon the pro- 
phet's head, he became again dissatisfied, ^and 
wished himself dead a second time. But the 

21 Why did the king decree, that not only man, but also the 
cattle should fast? 

Zi What did the Lord do, when the people of Nineveh re- 
pented ? 

23 What displeased Jonah greatly ? 

24 What did he even wish in his sorrow? 

25 Why did he build himself a hut outside of the city ? 

26 What did the Lord cause to grow for the comfort of Jonah ? 

27 Why did his joy a I the gourd not last long? 

18 What did Jonah again wish, when the sun shone fiercely 
apon his head ? 



23fc THE PEOPHET JONAH. 

Lord said unto him : 29 Thou art sorry for the 
gourd, which thou hast not even planted, and 
should not I have pity on so large a city as 
Nineveh ? 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whoever disobeys God, creates for himself much 
misery which he might have avoided. 

2. Always consider that what God does is for the 
best. Men generally desire that all things should be 
according to their wishes ; whereas God often ordains 
it otherwise, then is their hearts filled with sorrow 
and displeasure, and thus they embitter their own lives. 

3. It matters not whither man may turn, he is always 
surrounded by God, for in him alone do we exist and 
move. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

From thy all-seeing spirit, Lord, 

What hiding place does earth afford ? 

Oh, where can I thy influence shun, 

Or whither from thy presence run ? 

If up to heaven I take my flight, 

'Tis there thou dwell' st enthroned in light ; 

If to the world unseen, my God, 

There also hast thou thine abode. 

If I the morning wings could gain, 

And fly beyond the western main ; 

E'en there in earth's remotest land, 

I still should find thy guiding hand. 

29 What did the Lord say unto him ? 



THE HISTORY OF TOBIT. 233 

Psalms, cxxsix. 7 to 10. Whither shall I go from 
thy spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy pres- 
ence ? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there : If 
I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I 
take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the utter- 
most parts of the sea ; even there shall thy hand lead 
me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 



STORY 50. 

£(je Ijtston) of £o6tt 

Tobit, I. to II. 

Tobit, a righteous man of the tribe of Neph- 
thali, was taken captive by Enemessar king of 
Assyria, and brought into 1 Nineveh, where he 
dwelt. He had only one son, who was named 
Tobias. 2 He taught him the word of God from 
his youth up, so that he might fear the Lord 
and walk in the ways of righteousness. Now 
because Tobit was very righteous, God moved 
the heart of the king to allow him to wander at 
liberty ; 3 but he only used this freedom in com- 
forting his kindred and doing good. 4 During the 
reign of Sennacherib, the son of Enemessar 

1 Where did Tobit live after lie had been carried away captive 
by Enemessar ? 

2 How did he bring up his son? 

3 How did he use the privilege of wandering about at 
liberty ? 

* How fared it with the fellow-captives of Tobit ? 
20* 



Story 50 



Page 234. 




The journey of Tobias 



THE HISTORY OF TOBIT. 235 

many of the fellow captives of Tobit were slam, 
and not even allowed the rite of burial, for the 
king hoped, by allowing the bodies to decay in 
the open streets, to make the Israelites hated by 
his people. Now when Tobit heard, that one of 
his kindred was lying dead by the road-side, 
he went out and buried him during the night. 
5 The king for this sought to slay him, 6 and he 
was obliged to flee with his wife and child out 
of Nineveh ; and they went and concealed them- 
selves in the house of their friends. 7 A few 
weeks afterwards the king Sennacherrib was 
killed by his own sons, and Tobit was allowed 
to return again unto Nineveh. He still con- 
tinued his work of mercy, and one day as he 
returned from burying the dead, he laid down 
under a wall and fell asleep. 8 Then the warm 
dung from a sparrow's nest fell into his eyes and 
he became blind. His friends ought now to have 
taken care of and nursed the poor blind man, 
9 but they laughed at him, and said : of what 
avail is now thy trust in the Lord, that thou 
hast given so much alms and buried so many 

5 "What did the king seek to do unto Tobit, because he had 
buried his kindred, who were lying dead by the road-side ? 

6 What was he now obliged to do ? 

7 How did it come to pass that he was shortly afterwards 
allowed to return? 

8 What misfortune happened to Tobit whilst he was asleep ? 

9 How did his friends treat him ? 



236 THE HISTORY OF TOBIT. 

dead ? But he answered them with meekness 
and righteousness : 10 We look not upon earthly 
things, but are children of the Holy One, and we 
await a life which the Lord God has promised 
unto those who have faith, and who remain 
holy in his sight. n His wife, who was called 
Anna, worked very industriously, and supported 
him by spinning ; although this conduct was 
very praiseworthy, still she was wanting in ten- 
derness and forbearance to her afflicted hus- 
band. For once, when she brought home a 
young kid, Tobit said : 12 Look to it that nothing 
which has been stolen comes into our house. 
Then his wife was angry with him and re- 
proached him every day with his misfortune, 
so that the poor afflicted man prayed to God 
with tears, 13 that he would take his spirit away 
in peace. But before his death, he wanted 
to send his son to the city of Rages, 14 in order 
that he might receive the ten talents of silver, 
which he had lent to an acquaintance, named 
Gabael, whilst he was in distress. Now 
in the same city of Rages there dwelt also an- 

10 What answer did he make to his sorry comforters? 

11 What is told of Anna, the wife of Tobit ? 

12 What did Tobit say when she brought home a young kid ? 

13 What did he implore of God, when his wife reproached him 
daily with his misfortune ? 

14 Why did he want to send his son to Eages before his 
death? 



THE HISTORY OF TOBIT. 237 

other Israelite, a relation of Tobit, "named 
Raguel. He had an only daughter, named Sara, 
who had been the victim of a very singular 
fatality. 16 She had been seven times promised 
in marriage, but all her intended husbands had 
died before the fulfilment of the nuptials. A 
maid of her fathers once reproached her with 
this, and even called her an assassin. Filled 
with the deepest sorrow, she went into her 
chamber and prayed unto God that he would 
take from her the "disgrace of this unmerited 
reproach. She prayed with cheerful confidence, 
and ended her petition with these words : 
Thou makest the sun to shine after the tempest, 
and after weeping, thou givest us great joy. 
Sara offered this prayer at Rages in the same 
hour that Tobit was praying at Nineveh for a 
blessed end. Both prayers were heard in the 
same hour in heaven, before the majesty of the 
great God, for he sent his angel Raphael to 
succor them both. 

18 Raphael first revealed himself to the son of 
Tobit: for as Tobias was about to commence 
his journey to Gabael, in the city of Rages, he 

15 What was the name of Tobit's relation who dwelt there ? 
1S Of what singular fatality had the daughter of Eaguel been 
the victim ? 

17 What did Sara pray unto God when they reproached her 
on account of her misfortunes ? 

18 How did Raphael first reveal himself to the young Tobias ? 



238 THE HISTORY OF TOBIT. 

looked about for a traveling companion, and saw 
a handsome young man, ready equipped for a 
journey, and behold this was Raphael ; but 
Tobias knew not that he was an angel. He 
.asked the unknown youth, 19 if he knew the way 
to the city of Rages, and when the angel told 
him 20 that he not only knew the way to the city, 
but also knew Gabael who lived there, Tobias 
was very glad and went and told his father. 
Tobit said unto his son : Go out and bring him 
in unto me. Raphael saluted the old man with 
these words : 21 God give thee joy ! But the 
blind man answered him and said : 22 What joy 
can come unto me who must sit in darkness, 
and cannot see the light of heaven ? Then the 
youth comforted him saying : ^Only have 
patience ; God will succor thee. Now when 
everything was ready for their journey, Tobias 
took leave of his parents, and his father said 
unto him and his companion : ^God be with you 
on your journey, and may the angel of the Lord 
guide you. But his mother wept bitterly, and 
reproiched her husband, saying: 25 Thou hast 

x » What did Tobias ask Raphael ? 
* J What did the angel answer? 

21 How did Raphael salute Tobit after he came in uuto him ? 

22 What answer did the blind old man make ? 
15 How did the angel comfort him ? 

24 What did Tobit say unto his son and his companion ? 

25 What reproach did the mother make unto the fatLer for 
Bending away their son ? 



THE HISTORY OF TOBIT. 239 

sent away the comfort of our old age. Her hus- 
band assured her 26 that she should see her son 
again, for he knew that the good angel of the 
Lord acccompanied him ; whereupon she was 
comforted and ceased weeping. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Be thankful to thy parents and obey them, if 
they bring thee np in the ways of righteousness. 

2. In prosperity, Tobit was an example of benefi- 
cence, and in adversity an instance of patience and 
forbearance. Try to imitate this righteous man all 
thy life. 

3. When thou seest a blind man, do not mock him ; 
but thank God that thou hast eyes, not only by thy 
words, but by learning zealously and by doing good. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Who gives to-day its cheerful light ? 

The sun's creator — it is he ! 
The moon-beams and the stars by night, 

And eyes that we his works may see. 

source of light and life, I pray, 

That thou may'st guard my eyes for me ; 

And grant, O Lord, from day to day, 
That I thy presence still may see I 

Leviticus, xix. 14. Thou shalt not put a stumbling 
block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God : I am 
the Lord. 

* How did Tobit comfort his wife ? 



240 TOBIAS, 

STORY 51. 
Eo6tus. 

Tobit, VI. to XIV. 

The young Tobias and his companion went 
away together, x and a small dog ran after them, 
out of the house. After they had made a day's 
journey, Tobias went down to wash his feet in 
the River Tigris, and a large fish leaped out of 
the water and would have devoured him. 
Tobias was frightened, and cried out to his 
companion. The angel spake unto him, and 
said : 3 Take it by the fins and draw it out. 
Tobias did so, and the fish lay struggling at 
his feet. 4 Hereupon Tobias, at the command of 
the angel, opened the fish, took part of it and 
roasted it for a meal ; but he carried away with 
him the heart, the liver and the gall, for his 
companion assured him that they possessed 
wonderful powers. Now when Tobias inquired 
on the way, as to where they should lodge, the 
angel said unto him : 5 At the house of Raguel, 
who has an only daughter, who is to be thy wife. 

1 What faithful animal followed Tobias on his journey ? 

* What happened to Tobias when he went down to wash his 
feet in the waters of the Tigris ? 

8 What did the angel say unto him when he cried out ? 

4 What did Tobias now do with the fish ? 

6 What answer did the angel make, when Tobias asked on 
the way, where they should lodge? 



Story 51. 



Page 241. 




The return of Tobias. 

21 



242 TOBIAS. 

Tobias reflected, and said, 6 that he had heard 
that she had been promised seven times in 
marriage, and that each time an evil spirit had 
slain the intended, shortly before the celebration 
of the nuptials. But the angel encouraged him, 
and said : 7 Thou must have confidence in the 
maiden, and all will go well. Raguel received 
them very friendly, and said to his wife : How 
much this young man resembles our cousin. 
He then asked them : Whence come ye ? From 
Nineveh, from among the captives, was the 
answer. Do ye then know Tobit, our kinsman ; 
is he well? The angel answered him and said : 
The man whom you ask about is the father of 
this youth. Then Raguel fell upon the neck of 
Tobias and wept, and spake unto him : 8 Blessed 
be thou my child, for thou art the son of an 
honest and good man ; and likewise Edna, his 
wife, and Sara, his daughter, wept. Raguel 
ordered meat to be cooked and a meal to be 
prepared ; but Tobias would not eat until Raguel 
had granted him a request, which was, 9 that he 
would give him his daughter Sara in marriage 
10 Raguel was greatly troubled and frightened a' 
this request, for he thought that Tobias migb « 

8 What did Tobias say ? 

7 How did the angel encourage him ? 

8 What did Raguel say when he heard Tobias's name ? 

9 What was the request of Tobias ? 

in Why was Raguel frightened at the request of Tobias ? 



TOBIAS. 243 

meet with the same fate as the other seven 
bridegrooms ; n but the angel spake unto him, 
saying, that it was ordained that his daughter 
should be the wife of Tobias; and it was because 
he feared God that no one else had been allowed 
to possess her. The father being comforted, 
took his daughter's hand and gave her to Tobias, 
saying: 12 God help you and give you good 
success in all things. Now when Tobias had 
married Sara, he said to her : 13 We will begin 
our marriage with prayer, and not do as the 
heathens, who despise God ; then all things will 
prosper with us. They did so, and thus began the 
nuptials with piety and cheerfulness. u And as 
Tobias was obliged to remain for sometime 
longer at the house of his father-in-law, the angel 
went in the mean time to Gabael, and not only 
obtained the money, but returned, accompanied 
by Gabael, 15 who came to take part in the holy 
and joyous festivities. 16 After the marriage, 
Raguel gave his daughter the half of all his 
goods, and also made a will, bequeathing to her 
the other half on his death. On their departure, 
the parents kissed their daughter affectionately, 

11 How were Raguel's scruples satisfied ? 

12 How did Kaguel then bless Tobias and his daughter ? 

13 How did Tobias and Sara begia their marriage ? 

14 How did Tobias receive the money from Gabael ? 

15 Why did Gabael come with the angel ? 

«• What did Raguel give his daughter after the marriage ? 



244 TOBIAS. 

and gave her four good lessons which contained 
all that a young wife should observe to make 
her happy. 17 They advised her in the first 
place, to honor the parents of her husband even 
as her own ; secondly, to love her husband with 
her whole heart ; thirdly, to govern her house- 
hold with industry and care ; and lastly, to act 
discreetly in all things. Tobias journeyed on 
ahead with the angel, and left his young wife to 
follow with the servants. 

In the meantime Tobit awaited with great 
anxiety the return of his son, and as he did not 
come at the time agreed upon, he began to fear 
l8 that his debtor must have died. But the 
mother was even much more uneasy, and 19 went 
every day to the high-way to try if she could 
not see her son coming. Now it came to pass, 
that once whilst she was sitting by the road side, 
looking out eagerly, 20 behold, the little dog, 
which had followed Tobias on his journey, came 
running up to her, barking and springing 
joyfully about her. How the anxious mother 
then rejoiced ; for she knew 21 that her son could 

17 With what admonition did the parents of Sara send her 
away upon her journey? 

18 "What did Tobit fear as his son did not return at the time 
agreed upon? 

19 What did the mother do, who was still more uneasy ? 

20 What came running up to her, as she sat one day by the 
road-side ? 

21 What did the mother know by this ?' 



TOBIAS. 245 

not be far off, and it was not long until he came 
up with his companion. 22 His blind father stood 
up hastily; but he stumbled and had to be led 
to his son by a servant. ^Both the parents 
wept with joy ; an'd after they had prayed and 
thanked God they all sat down together. The 
first joy was soon followed by a second ; 2 %r 
the son took out the gall of the fish and rubbed 
his father's eyes with it ; this had scarcely been 
done half an hour, when the haze passed away 
from his eyes, and his sight was restored to him. 
^With earnest thankfulness he cried aloud : 
Blessed be the name of the Lord. Praise be to 
thee, God ! for thou hast scourged, but thou 
hast also taken pity on me and succored me, 
that I can again behold my beloved son. After 
seven days the joy of the good people was 
perfect, 26 for the young wife of Tobias came unto 
Nineveh, bearing with her a blessing from the 
Lord. Now the family of Tobit considered how 
they might reward the travelling companion 
who had rendered them such essential service ; 
then Tobias advised 27 that they should give to 

22 What did Ms blind father do when he heard of his son's 
return ? 

23 Bow did the parents receive their son ? 

24 In what did their second joy consist ? 

25 How did Tobit show his thankfulness unto the Lord ? 

26 How was the joy of the go )d people perfect after seven days ? 

27 What did Tobias advise as a reward to his travelling com 
panion ? 21* 



246 TOBIAS. 

him one half of all their goods and possessions. 
But of what avail are earthly treasures to one 
of the dwellers of heaven ? ^Raphael hereupon 
revealed himself unto them, admonished them 
to thank God, and to make known his miracles 
and his powers; he then said: It is now time 
that I go up unto Him that sent me ; and he 
vanished for ever from their sight. After these 
things Tobit lived forty-two years, and before 
he died commanded his son that he should leave 
the city of Nineveh, 29 for the place was about to 
be overthrown on account of its sin and wicked- 
ness. ^Therefore Tobias went to the house of 
his father-in-law and dwelt there, and honored 
his parents-in-law greatly, and when they died, 
31 he closed their eyes with filial love and grief. 
82 He himself lived, blessed by the Lord, until he 
was ninety-nine years of age, when he died, and 
was buried by his friends. But his race multi- 
plied and lived righteously, and found favor in 
the sight of God and man. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 
1. Choose for thy real confidants only such as have a 
righteous and friendly spirit, as the angel of the Lord; 
then hast thou true friends in whom thou canst rely. 

28 What did Raphael now do ? 

i9 What command did Tobit give his son, before he died ? 

30 Where did Tobias now go ? 

31 How did Tobias honor his parents-in-law? 
82 How did God reward his filial affection ? 



TOBIAS. 247 

2. Each man is sent into this world to do the will 
of God. Perform thy duties with piety and obedience, 
that thou mayst, at thy departure, say with the angel 
Raphael : I go again to him who hath sent me. 

3. If you relieve .any one in distress, who has not 
counted upon your assistance, you appear to him as 
an angel of the Lord. What a pure happiness it must 
be, to feel, that we have acted like an angel of mercy 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Oh, who can count the hosts on high, 
Who sing their praises in the sky ? 

Whom thou, O Lord, hast made ! 
They joy to do their Maker's will, 
His last commandment to fulfil ; 

Their glories never fade. 
Then grant that I, e'en here on earth, 
May know their goodness and their worth , 

That bright, bright angel choir. 
And so I pray, that cleansed from sin, 
A purer life I may begin, 

And God on high adore. 

Matthew, vi. 1 D. Thy will be done on earth as it is 
in heaven. 



248 THE RETUEN OF THE JEWS, ETC. 

STORY 5 2. 

3IJe return of tOe Oeius from DSaGgfon an& 
tOcir subsequent fjtstorn. 

Ezra, Nehemiah and 1 Maccabees. 

Seventy years after the Jews had been car- 
ried away captive into Babylon, 2 Cyrus, king of 
Persia, permitted them to return again into their 
own country, and to build a new temple at 
Jerusalem. 3 AU the gold and silver vessels 
which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out 
of the temple at Jerusalem, were collected and 
delivered over by Cyrus to the returning tribes, 
4 that they might again be used in the service of 
the Lord. Then the chiefs of the fathers, 
together with the priests and the Levites of the 
tribes of Judah and of Benjamin arose, and 
went up with the people unto Jerusalem. 
5 Xerubbabel, who was a descendant of the race 
of David, and Jeshua, the high priest, were the 
leaders of the people of Israel in their journey. 
All the Jews did not, however, return to Jerusa- 
lem, many preferring to remain in Babylon ; 



1 When were the Jews, who had been carried away into the 
Babylonian captivity, permitted to return to their own country f 

2 Who permitted them to return? 

3 What had Nebuchadnezzer carried away from the temple? 

4 Why were the gold and silver vessels returned to the Jews ? 

5 Who were the leaders of the people of Israel on their 
iourney back to Jerusalem ? 



THE KETUEN OF THE JEWS ETC. 249 

6 but these latter gave gold and silver to aid in 
the construction of the new temple. 7 As soon 
as the children of Israel were gathered together 
in their cities, they held the feast of the taber- 
nacles. At the laying of the foundation stone, 
all the priests stood around dressed in their 
robes, and the Levites sang the holy songs of 
David in praise of the Lord, whose mercy en- 
dureth forever towards Israel. And all the 
people raised their voices in thankfulness unto 
the Lord; but many of the old priests and chief 
fathers, who still remembered the splendor of the 
old temple, wept aloud that it had been over- 
thrown. Now when the Samaritans heard 
that the Jews were again building a temple, 
they caused it to be said unto them : 8 Let us 
build with you, for we seek your God as ye do. 
The Jews answered them, and said : 9 It is not 
proper that you should build with us the house 
of the Lord. We will build it alone. 10 The 
Samaritans were angered against them when 
they heard this, and for a long time sought to 
delay the construction of the temple. From 

6 What did those Jews do, who remained in Babylon ? 

7 What did the children of Israel do, as soon as they were in 
their cities ? 

8 What message did the Samaritans send to the Jews, when 
they heard of the building of the new temple? 

9 What answer did the Jews make? 

10 What did the angry Samaritans do now ? 



250 AND THEIE SUBSEQUENT HISTORY. 

this originated the greatest hatred between the 
Samaritans and the Jews, "which lasted even 
until the time of our Saviour. 12 After these 
things, Ezra, a most excellent and learned man, 
came unto Jerusalem, restored the ceremonies of 
God's service, which had fallen into disuse, and 
read every day aloud to the people from the law- 
book of the Lord, and they were rejoiced that 
they could again hear his commandments. 13 He 
also collected the sacred books of the Old Testa- 
ment, and placed them in the order in which 
we find them at the present day. Nehemiah 
also, a Jew of royal descent, who was highly 
esteemed and honored by the king of Persia, 
helped to advance, in a great measure, the com- 
plete re-construction of Jerusalem ; u for he gave 
his own wealth for that purpose, and daily fed a 
large number of workmen, in order to relieve the 
people of the burthen. After their return from 
Babylon, the Jews never served nor worshipped 
idols, 15 but remained faithful to the God of 
their fathers. In the course of events, Antiochus 

11 To what time did the hatred between the Jews and the 
Samaritans last ? 

12 What services did Ezra render unto Jerusalem ? 

13 What more is told of Ezra in relation to the sacred books 
of the Old Testament? 

14 How did Nehemiah help to advance the complete re-con- 
struction of Jerusalem ? 

16 To whom did the Jews remain faithful, after their return 
from Babvlon? 



THE RETURN" OF THE JEWS, ETC. 251 

Epiphanes, king of Syria, ruled over Judea, and 
tried 16 to compel the Jews to become heathens. 
But they remained steadfast to their God and 
their faith, "although they were obliged, on this 
account, to bear great sorrow and misery. 
"These things happened about one hundred and 
sixty years before the birth of our Lord. 19 But 
in the mean time, a worthy priest, named Mat- 
tathias, arose to revenge and protect the religion 
of their fathers. 20 For when the captains of 
Antiochus came to the mountain city of Modin, 
to force the Jews to sacrifice to the' idols, Mat- 
tathias went out with the others to meet them, 
and when the priest saw a Jew sacrificing to the 
false god, he was inflamed with holy zeal, and 
went up and slew the Jew and one of the cap- 
tains, and he tore down the altar. Hereupon 
he cried with a loud voice through the city, say- 
ing : 21 Whosoever is zealous of the law, and main- 
taineth the covenant, let him depart with me 
from the city. ^Now all the righteous men of the 
Jews went out with him, and travelled about in 

16 What did Antiochus Epiphanes try to compel the Jews to 
do? 

17 "What were they therefore obliged to bear? 

18 When did these things happen ? 

19 Who arose as a protector of the religion of their fathers ? 

20 How did Mattathias show his zeal for the faith? 

21 What did he cr^ with aloud voice through the city? 

22 Whaf did all the righteous men of the Jews do ? 



252 AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT HISTOEY. 

the land of Israel, and destroyed the altars and 
kept the law in spite of all the power of the 
heathens and the kings, so that they did not 
conquer them. After these things, the venerable 
Mattathias died at an advanced age, and all 
Israel mourned for him. ^In his place arose his 
son Judas, called Maccabeus, which means hero, 
^who smote the Syrians, exalted Jerusalem, and 
purified the temple. Then there was great joy 
in Jerusalem, and after his death, ^the Jewish 
people lived happy a hundred and twenty-eight 
years under the government of his successors. 
26 But as there was disunion among the descend- 
ants of Maccabeus, 27 the Jews c'alled the Romans 
to their assistance, who kept the land to them- 
selves. 28 And they appointed Herod king over 
the Jews; 29 during his reign was born Christ, 
the Saviour of the world, who was descended 
from the race of David. To him, the Founder 
of the New Testament, be honor and glory for 
ever and ever. Amen ! 



23 Who arose in the place of Mattathias ? 

24 What did Maccabeus do? 

25 How long did the Jews live happy after the death of 
Maccabeus ? 

26 What crept in among the descendants of Maccabeus ? 

27 Who ^ as called to their assistance? 

38 Who did the Romans, who kept the Jewish land for them- 
selves, appoint king of the Jews ? 
" What important event happened during the reign of Herod? 



THE RETURN OF THE JEWS, ETC. 253 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. God always ordains events, as his holy purposes 
require. 

2. God knows how to influence the hearts of men 
in such a way, that they must assist in the fulfilment 
of his purposes. 

3. God also selects the time, which is most proper 
for the furtherance of his news. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

O come, loud anthems let us sing, 
Loud thanks to our Almighty King. 
For we our voices high shall raise 
When our salvation's rock we praise 

For God the Lord, enthroned in state, 

Is with unrivall'd glory great ; 

A king superior far to all, 

"Whom Gods the heathens falsely call. 

Isaiah, liv. 10. For the mountains shall depart, and 
the hills be removed ; but my kindness shall not de- 
part from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace 
be remove'd, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. 



22 



FIFTY-TWO 
SELECT BIBLICAL STORIES 

FROM THS 

NEW TESTAMENT. 



(254) 

24 



STORY 1. 

3o(}n tlje baptist is promtseb to Ijte father. 

Luke, I. 

*At the time of King Herod there lived a 
priest called Zacharias. 2 He and Elizabeth, his 
wife, were both righteous before God, walking 
in all the commandments and ordinances of the 
Lord, blameless. 3 However they had no children 
and that troubled them sadly. It happened 
once, when Zacharias was in the temple to 
attend to his duties as a priest, and to burn in- 
cense, whilst all the people were in the vestibule 
praying, at the time of incense, Hhat an angel 
appeared to him. He stood to the right of the 
altar of incense, and Zacharias was frightened 
when he saw him. But the angel spoke unto 
him : 5 Fear not Zacharias ; thy prayer is heard, 
and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son and 
thou shalt call him John. And thou shalt have 
joy and gladness in him, and many will rejoice 
at his birth, for he will be filled with the Holy- 
Ghost, and prepare the way for the Lord. I am 
Gabriel who stands before God, and have been 

1 At what time lived the priest Zacharias ? 

2 What kind of a life did Zacharias ano" his wife lead ? 

3 Why were these good people sadly troubled ? 

* Who appeared to Zacharias when he was lighting the 
inceu?* in the temple ? 
6 What did the angel say to him ? 
(256) 



JOHN THE BAPTIST 257 

sent to bring thee these tidings. Zacharias said 
to the angel: 6 Whereby shall I know this? I 
am old and my wife well stricken in years. The 
angel answered : 7 Because thou hast not believed 
my words, thou shalt be dumb until the day they 
will be fulfilled. In the mean time the people 
were waiting, and wondered why Zacharias 
remained so long in the temple. When at last 
he came into the vestibule, he could not speak, 
8 but only made signs to the people, and thereby 
they perceived 9 that he had had a heavenly 
vision. When the time of his service in the tem- 
ple had expired, he returned home, and commu- 
nicated to Elizabeth, 10 what had happened to him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Mistrust in God's promises cannot be pleasing to 
him. Do not doubt ! What the Lord promises, he 
will keep. 

2. It is certainly a solemn and refreshing sight, to 
see a multitude assembled for the purpose of true 
devotion. 

8. Always enter the church with a truly pious 
heart, and you will carry home a blessing. 

6 What answered Zachar.as? 

7 What did the angel reply? 

8 By what means alone could Zacharias communicate with the 
people, when he came out of the temple ? 

9 What did they know by this ? 

10 What did Zacharias, when he came home, communicate 
also to Elizabeth? 

22* 



258 cheist's bikth announced unto mart, 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
To thy temple I repair ; 
Lord, I love to worship there ; 
While thy glorious praise is sung, 
Teach my lips, unloose my tongue. 

From thy house when I return, 
May my heart within me burn; 
And at evening let me say, 
I have walked with God to-day. 
Psalm, c. 2. — Serve the Lord with gladness; com< 
before his presence with singing. 



STORY 2. 

£Qe Dtrtf) of (CQrtst is announceu unto Worn. 

Luke, I. 

*Six months after, the angel Gabriel was again 
sent by God to the town of Nazareth, in Galilee, 
2 to visit a poor but pious virgin. 3 She was affi- 
anced to a man, named Joseph of the house of 
David, and her name was Mary. When the an- 
gel came in unto her, he said : 4 Hail ! thou that 
art favored ! the Lord is with thee. 5 Mary was 
frightened when she saw the angel and was 



1 Into what town was the angel Gabriel set afterwards by 
God? 

2 Whom did the angel of God visit ? 

3 To whom was the virgin betrothed ? 

4 How was she addressed by the angel' 

5 What impression did the salutation of the angel produce 
upon Mary? 



Storv 2. 



Pa?e 259. 




The Annunciation. 



260 Christ's birth announced unto mart. 

troubled at his speech. 6 She thought what kind 
of a salutation is this, and how have I merited it? 
7 But the angel spoke kindly to her, and said : 
Fear not, Mary ; for thou hast found favor with 
God, and this am I to announce to thee. 8 Behold, 
thou shalt bear a son, whose name shall be Jesus, 
for he shall be great and be called a Son of the 
Highest, and God will give him the throne of 
his father David, and his kingdom shall have no 
end. After this Mary was still more troubled, 
and said : 9 How is this possible, as I know of no 
man ? The angel answered : 10 The Holy Ghost 
shall come upon thee, and the power of the 
Highest shall overshadow thee ; for this reason, 
the child that thou shalt bear, shall be called the 
Son of God. n The angel then referred to the 
case of Elizabeth her relative, who was to have 
a son six months before Mary, for, added he : 
12 With God nothing is impossible. Herei pon 
Mary, in her humility, submitted to the w>U of 
the Lord, and spoke : 13 Behold the handmaid of 
the Lord ; be it unto me according to thy w Td ! 
And the angel departed. 

6 What were her thoughts, when she heard the salutatio* ? 

7 How did the augel dissipate her fears ? 

8 What did he aunounce to her ? 

9 What did Mary answer ? 

10 What further did the angel say to Mary 

11 To whose case did he refer Mary ? 

12 What words of comfort did he add ? 

13 What did Mary say in all humility ? 



MARY'S VISIT TO ELIZABETH. 261 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The more advantages God bestows on us, the 
more humble we should be; for if we grow proud, 
we are unworthy of his favor. 

2 God often selects for the execution of his most 
important designs, men who are neither great nor 
honored by the world. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Hark ! the glad sound, the Saviour comes, 

The Saviour promised long : 
Let every heart prepare a throne 

And every voice a song. 

He comes, the broken heart to bind 

The bleeding soul to cure, 
And with the treasures of his grace, 

T' enrich the humble poor. 

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, 

Thy welcome shall proclaim ; 
And heaven's eternal arches ring 

With thy beloved name. 

Luke i. 49. — For he that is mighty hath done to 
me great things ; and holy is his name 



STORY 3. 

Jftarifs otstt to (jer refattue (£Ct5a6et(j. 

Luke, I. 

Soon after the angel had departed from Mary, 
she went over the mountain to Hebron, a 



2G2 mary's visit to Elizabeth, 

town of the tribe of Judah, l to visit her cousin 
Elizabeth. 2 This was the wife of the priest 
Zacharias, 3 to whom the angel Gabriel had pro- 
mised a son, afterwards John the Baptist. And 
it came to pass when Mary entered the house 
and saluted her friend, that the latter felt an 
inward joy, and in her delight exclaimed : 4 How 
does it happen to me, that the mother of my 
Lord comes to visit me ? Blessed art thou among 
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy body. 
Yes, blessed art thou, that hast believed, for all 
will come to pass what the Lord has promised 
to thee. Filled with a similar spirit, Mary 
praised God, and said : 5 My soul praises the Lord, 
and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour ; for 
he has regarded the low estate of his hand- 
maiden. Behold, henceforth, all generations 
shall call me blessed ; for he that is mighty has 
done to me great things ; and holy is his name. 
And his mercy is on them that fear him from 
generation to generation. 

6 Mary stayed three months with Elizabeth, 
when she returned home again. 

1 To whom did Mary pay a visit soon after the departure c£ 
the angel ? 

2 Whose wife was Elizabeth ? 

3 What had Gabriel promised to Zacharias ? 

4 What did Elizabeth exclaim, when her friend saluted her? 
6 How did the pious Mary praise God ? 

c How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth ? 



BIRTH OF JOHN" THE BAPTIST. 263 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. From the abundance of the heart, the mouth 
speaketh. He whose heart is full of God jikes to 
converse about him and his dispensations. 

2. Mary already with joy anticipated the coming 
of Jesus, what should be our joy, who have him 
always with us, when we seek him. 

3. Blessed is he who has a true friend. Joys which 
we share with others, are two -fold joys. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
True friendship's like the precious oil 

Which pour'd on Aaron's head, 
Ean down his beard, and o'er his robes 

Its costly fragrance shed 

'Tis like refreshing dew, which does 

On Herman's top distil, 
Or like the early drops that fall 

On Sion's favour'd hill. 

Eccles. vi. 17. — Whoso feareth the Lord, shall direct 
his friendship aright; for as he is, so shall his 
neighbor be also. 



STORY 4. 

3pe GtrtO of 3oijn tlje baptist. 

Luke, I. 

1 Elizabeth bore a son, and all her relatives 
and neighbors hearing how merciful the Lord 

1 What favor was bestowed on Elizabeth ? 



264 BIETH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

had been to her, rejoiced with her. 2 0n the 
eighth day they came to give a name to the 
child, and wanted to call it 3 Zacharias, after its 
father. But the mother exclaimed: 4 No ! not 
Zacharias, but John is to be his name. But 
they were astonished, and said to Elizabeth : 
5 There is nobody of that name in thy family ? 
Then they beckoned to the dumb father, 6 how 
he wished to have his son called. The angel 
having expressly Mesired him to call him John, 
8 he made signs to give him a tablet, 9 on which 
he intended to write the name John, 10 but in 
that moment his speech was restored to him, 
and he exclaimed aloud : His name shall be 
John. n Thus even the most trifling circum- 
stances of the prophecy of the angel to Zacha- 
rias, were fulfilled. 12 And fear came on all that 
dwelt in their neigborhood, and all who heard it, 
took it to heart, and said, 13 What thinkest 

2 When did the relatives of Elizabeth come to bestow a name 
upon the child? 

3 What name did they intend to bestow upon it ? 
* What did Elizabeth say ? 

5 What did her astonished relatives observe? 

6 What did they ask Zacharias ? 

7 What had been the express command of the angel ? 

8 What did Zacharias demand by signs ? 

9 What did he intend to write upon the tablet? 

10 What happened when he did so? 

11 What was exactly fulfilled ? 

12 IIow did the neighbors receive this extraordinary event ? 

13 What did those say, who heard of the miracle ? 



.BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 265 

thou? What manner of child will this be? 
for the hand of the Lord was with it. But his 
father was filled with holy inspiration, and 
spoke : u Praised be the Lord of Israel ; for he 
has prepared a salvation for his people, that we 
shall serve him without fear our life long, in 
holiness and justice, which is pleasing unto him. 
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of 
the Highest ; for thou shalt go before the face of 
the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge 
of salvation unto his people. 15 And the child 
grew, and waxed strong in spirit. But when 
John was grown up, 16 he remained in the desert, 
until he was to come out among the people of 
Israel. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whoever has a pious and loving heart, will 
always rejoice, when God shows mercy unto others. 

2. Often let us ask ourselves: Child, what will 
become of thee, wilt thou be ever useful to man and 
pleasing unto God. 

3. How happy are thy father and mother, when, 
already in thy childhood, they have reason to hope, 
that thou wilt grow up in righteousness. 



14 What did Zacliarias say, when full of holy inspiration ? 

15 What is prophesied by John ? 

16 Where did John stop, when he was grown up ? 

23 



266 THE MAERIAGE OF JOSEPH AND MARY, 

PIOUS THOUGHTS 

My father, my mother I know, 

I cannot yonr kindness repay ; 
But I hope, that as older I grow, 

I shall learn your commands to obey. 

Bat for fear that I ever should dare 
From all your commands to depart, 

"Whenever I utter a prayer, 
I'll ask for a dutiful heart. 

Prov. xxiii. 25. — Thy father and thy mother shall 
be glad. 



STORY 5. 

£(}e 3Ttarr(aQe of 3oscpf) anb JTtari). 

Matthew, I. 

In the town of Nazareth, where Mary 'dwelt, 
lived also Joseph, 2 who, was only a carpenter, 
but notwithstanding, descended from the royal 
race of David. He knew Mary to be a pious 
virgin, and because he too was pious, 4 they were 
betrothed ; 6 as yet, he did not know what the 

1 Who dwelt also in the town of Nazareth, where Mary lived ? 

2 Who was Joseph ? 

3 Of whom were Mary and Joseph descendants? 

* What did Joseph do, as he knew Mary to be a virtuona 
maiden ? 
6 But what did he not know ? 



THE MARRIAGE OF JOSEPH AND MARY. 26/ 

angel had announced to Mary, but he was to 
learn it then. He hesitated to marry Mary, 
6 when the angel appeared to him in a dream, 
and said : 7 Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to 
take unto thee Mary, thy wife ; for the child 
which she expects, is a holy present of God, and 
thou shalt give him the name of Jesus; for 
he will redeem his people from sin. 8 When 
Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the 
angel had ordered him, and took unto him Mary 
his affianced bride.. This God had ordained, 
9 that Mary should have a protector and the 
child Jesus, a foster-father. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The child was to be called Jesus, (the one who 
makes blessed.) What a great and holy name ; 
never let us use it in vain. 

2. Grod instructs the virtuous, what he is to do, if 
he will only listen to the voice of his conscience ; 
indeed we may say his angel whispers it to him. 

3. God takes care of the children before they see 
the light of day ; he has taken care of us before we 
entered the world. How great is the love of our 
heavenly father! 



6 "Who appeared in a dream to Joseph, to reveal all to him? 

7 What did the angel say to Joseph ? 

8 How did Joseph execute the command of the angel ? 
• Why had God ordained all this ¥ 



/68 THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Hail ! thou long expected Jesus, 

Born to set thy people free : 
From our sins and fears release us, 

Let us find our rest in thee. 

Israel's strength and consolation, 
Hope of all the saints, thou art 

Long desired of every nation, 
Joy of every waiting heart. 

Isaiah, xviii. 17. — I am the Lord thy God which 
tea cheth ' thee to profit, which, leadeth thee by the 
way that thou shouldst go. 



STORY 6. 

£0e Qirtf) of Oesus Cfjrtst Dur Corb. 

Luke, II. 

In those days it came to pass that the Em- 
peror Augustus issued a decree, Hhat all the 
inhabitants of his kingdom, to which also 
Judea belonged, should be counted and re- 
gistered. 2 Therefore, the Jews went each 
into the town, from which his family had 
descended. 3 And Joseph of Nazareth also 
went to the native town of David, that is 

1 What command was issued by the Emperor Augustus t 
* Whither did every Jew go ? 
3 Whither did also Joseph go ? 



THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. 269 

to say, to Bethlehem, 4 as he belonged to the 
race of David, 5 and he took with him the 
virtuous Mary. 6 When they were there, the son 
promised by God, was born, and she wrapt him 
in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, 
7 for there was no other room in the inn. 8 Thus, 
the King of Heaven had entered this world, in 
the midst of poverty ; yet his birth was celebrated 
more magnificently 9 than that of any child has 
ever been on this world. For behold ! in the 
vicinity of Bethlehem, there were shepherds in 
the field, who, in the night, minded their herds, 
and when the child Jesus was born, an 10 angel 
of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the 
Lord shone around him. At this they were 
frightened, but the angel spoke to them: n Do 
not fear ; behold I bring you good tidings, which 
shall be so to all people ; for unto you is born 
this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is 
Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto 
you, 12 ye shall find the babe wrapped in swad- 
dling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly 

* Why did he go to Bethlehem ? 
6 Who went with Joseph ? 

6 What eventful occurrence took place at Bethlehem ? 

7 Why did Mary put her son into a manger ? 

8 How had the King of the world come into the world ? 

9 How was his birth celebrated ? 

10 Who, at the birth of Christ, appeared to the shepherds at 
Bethlehem ? 

11 How did the angel address the terrified shepherd ? 
a What sign did the angel give them ? 

23* 



270 THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. 

there was with the angel a multitude of the 
heavenly host, praising God, and saying : 13 Glory 
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good 
will towards man. When the angels left them 
and arose into heaven, the shepherds spoke : 
u Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing 
which is come to pass, and which the Lord has 
made known unto us. 15 And they came and 
found both Mary and Joseph and the child 
lying in the manger. And when they had seen 
it, 16 they made known abroad the saying which 
was told them concerning the child, and all that 
heard it wondered at these things which were 
told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all 
these things and pondered them in her heart. 
The shepherds however returned, and "praised 
God for all they had heard and seen. ls Eight 
days after, the child received the name of Jesus, 
as ordered by the angel before he was born. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. This day the Saviour has been born unto you — 
this is indeed the most important intelligence, which 
has ever been anounced. 

13 How did the heavenly host praise the God of mercy ? 
11 What did the shepherds say, when the angel had again 
disappeared ? 

15 Whom did they find in Bethlehem ? 

16 What did they do, when they had found the babe Jesus ? 
" ' 7 Why did they praise and glorify God ? 

w What name did the child receive on the eighth day. 



CHEIST IN THE TEMPLE. 271 

2. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will towards men — this is indeed the most beauti- 
ful song of praise, that has ever been sung. 

3. And they found the child, lying in the manger — 
this, indeed, is the finest sight that has ever blessed 
the eyes of man. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Hark ! the glad sound, the Saviour comes, 

The Saviour promised long: 
Let every heart prepare a throne, 
And every voice a song. 

John, iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he 
gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth 
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 



STORY 7. 

£()e presentation of (Cfjrtst in tlje tempfe. 

Luke, II 
According to the law cf Moses, each first born 
son had to be consecrated unto the Lord, or to 
be redeemed by a certain sum of money. Also 
every mother, some weeks after God had given 
her a child, 2 had to sacrifice a one year old lamb, 
and a turtle dove, or, if too poor, instead of the 

1 What was the law of Moses respecting the first-born son ? 

2 What was every mother obliged to do, whom the Lord had 
given a child ? 



Pasre 272 



Storv 7. 




Presentation of Christ in the Temple 



CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE. 273 

lamb another dove. This the pious mother did ; 
3 she took her child to the temple in Jerusalem, 
presented it to the priest, and on account of her 
poverty, sacrificed only two turtle doves. At 
Jerusalem, there was a pious old man, 4 named 
Simeon, 5 who, impatiently, awaited the consola- 
tion of Israel, the coming of the Messiah. He 
had received the promise from the Holy Ghost, 
6 that he should not die until he had seen the 
anointed of the Lord. "When Mary presented 
her child, Simeon urged on by the spirit came 
forward in the temple, and as soon as he saw the 
child, he knew it to be the promised Messiah, 
took it into his arms, praised God and spoke : 
7 Lord ! now lettest thou thy servant depart in 
peace, according to thy word : for my eyes have 
seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared 
before the face of all people ; a light to lighten 
the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 
8 And the father and mother of the babe were 
astonished at the words which were spoken by 
him. Simeon blessed them, but at the same time, 



3 How did Mary obey the Law of Moses ? 

4 What pious old man, was then living at Jerusalem ? 

5 What did Simeon await most longingly ? 

6 What had the Holy Ghost promised unto him ? 

7 How did Simeon praise the mercy of God, when he held the 
child Jesus in his arms ? 

8 At what did Joseph and Maiy wonder ? 



274 CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE. 

he foretold Mary 9 that a sword would pierce her 
heart ; which came to pass afterwards, 10 when 
she stood under his cross. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Thou also hast been presented unto the Lord, 
that is to say, when thou wert christened, therefore 
always look upon thyself as one consecrated unto the 
Lord, and lead such a life that he may be satisfied 
Avith it. 

2. Great and glorious things were foretold of the 
child Jesus to his parents, which were all fulfilled ; also 
of thee, thy parents entertain many hopes, take care 
that thou dost not disappoint them. 

3. We cannot see' the Saviour with our eyes, nor 
carry him on our arms, but we should look at his ex- 
ample and carry him in our hearts. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Faith is the Christian's evidence 
Of things unseen by mortal eye •, 

It passes all the bounds of sense, 
And penetrates the inmost sky. 

John, xx. 24. Blessed are they, that have not seen, 
jod yet have believed. 

9 What did Simeon foretell into the mother of Jesns ? 

10 When was the prophecy oi the pious Simeon fulfilled ? 



THE WISE MEN OF THE EAST. 275 

STORY 8. 

£0e raise men of tpe east. 

Matthew, II. 

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in 
Judea, in the days of Herod, the king, 1 behold 
there came wise men from the east to Jerusa- 
lem, and asked : 2 Where is the newly born king 
of the Jews? We have seen his star in the 
east, and are come to worship him. 3 When 
king Herod heard this, he was troubled, 4 because 
he took Jesus for a king of this earth, and for 
his rival, and with him all Jerusalem, 5 for they 
waited anxiously what the king might determin 
in his cruel heart. The king assembled all the 
chief priests and scribes of the people, and in- 
quired of them, "where Christ was to be born. 
They immediately answered : 7 In Bethlehem in 
Judea ; as the prophet Micah had prophesied. 
And king Herod secretly sent for the wise men, 
and asked them 8 when the star had appeared, 

1 Who, when Jesus was born, came to Jerusalem ? 

2 What did the wise men ask in Jerusalem ? 

3 How did Herod receive the news ? 

4 Why was Herod frightened ? 

6 Why was also the whole of Jerusalem frightened ? 

6 What inquiries did Herod make with the chief priests and 
scribes ? 

7 What answer did he receive ? 

8 What did Herod inquire of the wise men, after he had 
secretly sent for them 7 



Story 8 




The wise men from the Bast. 



THE WISE MEN OF THE EAST. 277 

and sent them to Bethlehem, and said : 9 go, and 
search diligently for the child, and when you 
find it let me know, that I may also go and 
worship it. After they received this commis- 
sion they departed immediately, and behold. 
10 the star which they had seen in the east, 
guided them and stood over the place, where 
the child was. When they saw the star, they 
rejoiced, n went into the house, and found the 
child and Mary, his mother; 12 they fell down 
before him, and worshipped him ; they also 
made him presents of gold, frankincense and 
myrrh. God however in a dream commanded 
them, 13 not to go to Herod again, and in obedi- 
ence to this command, u they returned home by 
some other road. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The wise men sought Jesus ; thou shouldst also 
seek him, and thou wouldst find him, whenever thou 
thinkest of him. 

2. Let us also worship Jesus, but as a heavenly 
King, who sits at the right hand of God, and let us 
honor him in our hearts, and through a whole pious 
life. 

9 What did tie say to them, when he sent them to Bethlehem ? 

10 "What guide had the wise men on their road to Bethlehem ? 

11 Whom did the wise men find ? 

12 How did they honor the child Jesus ? 

13 What did God command the wise men in a dream, not t:> 
do? 

14 How did they obey the command of God ? 

24 



278 THE PARENTS OF JESUS FLEE 

3. Let us give our hearts to the Redeemer, and when 
we give something to a poor man, he will look upon 
it, as if we had given it to him. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

To do his heavenly Father's will 
Was his employment and delight , 

Humility and holy zeal 

Shone through his life divinely bright. 

Dispensing good, where'er he came, 
The labors of his life were love, 

Then if we bear the Saviour's name 
By his example let us move. 

Matthew, xxv. 40. — Verily I say unto you, inas- 
much as ye have done it unto one of the least of 
these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 



STORY 9. 

£()e parents of Oesus ffce rottf) (jtm to Ggijpt. 

THE INNOCENT CHILDREN AT BETHLEHEM. 
Matthew, II. 

"When the wise men had departed, the angel, 
of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and 
ordered him, Ho flee to Egypt with the child and 
the mother, 2 for that Herod intended to kill the 
child. At the same time he ordered him to 



* What did the angel in a dream order Joseph to do ? 
■ Why did the angel o-der Joseph to do this? 



WITH HIM TO EGYPT. 279 

remain there 3 until he should tell him to return. 
Joseph immediately did, as the angel had bid 
him, 4 started with the child and the mother by 
night, and fled into Egypt. 5 King Herod, after 
a while saw that he had been deceived by the 
wise men, for they did not return to Jerusalem, 
as they had promised. At this, he grew wroth, 
6 and sent out people, to kill all the male child- 
ren in Bethlehem and its environs, who were 
two years of age and less. 7 Among these boys, 
he thought that Jesus would be ; for he learned 
from the wise men, that the newly born king at 
most, could be but two years old. 8 There was, 
however, great weeping and lamentation ; for the 
mothers would not be comforted. 9 But the fol- 
lowing year Herod was called before the judg- 
ment seat of God, having died of a painful disease. 
Immediately after his death the angel of the 
Lord again appeared unto Joseph, and said : 
10 Arise take the young child and its mother, and 
go into, the land of Israel. "Joseph did so, and 

3 How long did he command him to remain in Egypt ? 

4 How did Joseph fulfil the command of the Lord ? 
6 Why was king Herod angry ? 

6 What did he do in his anger ? 

7 Why did he have all the boys in Bethlehem killed ? 
What was the consequence of Herod's cruelty ? 

9 What was, soon after, the end of Herod ? 
n What did the angel of the Lord command Joseph to do, after 
the death of Herod ? 
11 Where did Joseph then go to live ? 



280 THE PARENTS OF JESUS FLEE TO EGYPT. 

went and dwelt in the city of Nazareth, where 
Jesus grew up, and through which • he subse- 
quently received the name of the Nazarene. 

The innocent children who were slain at 
Bethlehem, were therefore the first who suffered 
death in the cause of Christ. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Children are often in danger without being 
aware of it, and are often saved from that danger 
without knowing i t. Thank God, therefore, for the 
preservation from unknown danger. 

2j God is mightier than all the princes of the 
earth ; therefore do not fear men, but live in the fear 
of God. 

3. Whoever doeth evil, must expect momentarily 
to be called before the judgment seat of God. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
My God will steadfast be, 

To those who serve and love ; 
His mercy still we see, 

In all his works above. 

That God will ne'er forsake, 

I've known in childhood's hour ; 
A steadfast bond we'll make 
With his almighty power. 

Bomans, viii. 31. — If God be for us, who can be 
against us. 

12 What name did Jesus subsequently receive from the fact ol 
his growing up in Nazareth ? 



JESUS IS LOST BY HIS PARENTS. 281 

STORY 10. 

3esus, roljo is onfq troefoe nears ofb, is Cost 

6g Ots parents, anb afterroatbs 

founb in tfje tempfe. 

Luke, II. 

The parents of Jesus went every year into 
Jerusalem, to celebrate the feast of the passover, 
and Ho worship God in his holy temple. 2 When 
Jesus was twelve years of age, his parents took 
him with them. 3 Now, when the feast was over, 
and they were about to return to Nazareth, the 
child Jesus remained in Jerusalem ; his parents 
were not aware of this, for they thought 4 that 
he had gone on before with some companions 
and friends. After they had made a day's jour- 
ney 5 they inquired for him among their acquain- 
tances, at the inn ; and when they did not find 
him, 6 they turned back again to Jerusalem, 
seeking for him. 7 It was not till after three 

1 Why did the parents of Jesus go every year into Jerusalem 
to the feast of the passover ? 

2 How old was Jesus, when he made this journey with his 
parents ? 

3 Where did the child Jesus remain when his parents returned 
to Nazareth ? 

4 What did his parents think, when he remained in Jerusalem ? 

5 Where did they inquire for Jesus, after they had made a 
day's journey? 

6 What did they do, when they were unable to find their son ? 

7 Where did they find him or. the third day ? 

24* 



Patje 0< ^1. 



Story 10. 




Jesus in tbe Temple. 



JESUS IS LOST BY HIS PAEENTS. %o6 

days, that they found him in the temple, sitting 
in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them 
and asking them questions. But all who heard 
him were astonished at his understanding and 
answers. Now; when his parents saw him, they 
were amazed, and his mother said unto him : 
8 My son, why hast thou done this ? Behold, thy 
father and I have sought thee with sorrow. But 
he answered them, and said : 9 How is it that ye 
sought me ? Know ye not that I must be about 
my father's business. They did not understand 
the saying which he spake unto them, but his 
mother kept the whole circumstance in mind, 
and thought over it afterwards. 10 Thereupon, 
Jesus went down to Nazareth with his n parents, 
and was obedient and dutiful to them. 12 And 
he increased in wisdom and stature, and in 
favor with God and man. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 
1. Jesus, even at an early age, seriously and 
piously considered, how he might best work out the 
design which God had in view. You also ought to 
consider in your youth, the object of your creation, 
and should pray to God, that you may be governed 
by his holy spirit. 

8 What did the mother therefore say to Jesus ? 

9 How did Jesus answer his parents ? 
10 Where did he now go with them ? 

lj How did he conduct himself toward:- them ? 
'* In what did he continue to increase ? 



284 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

2. Jesus, notwithstanding his great talents and 
virtues, was a very modest child. You ought, there- 
fore, not to presume upon your humble abilities, but 
should learn from him child-like simplicity and 
modesty. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Despite of all earth's pomp and pride, 

Be meek and humble still ; 
Be like that holy Saviour child, 

Yielding to God thy will. 

Obey his holy word each day, 

Then will thy youth be pure, 
Calmly thy age will pass away, 

And endless life endure. 

Proverbs, viii. 17. — I love them that love me ; and 
those that seek me early, shall find me. 



STORY 11. 

3o(jn tpe baptist commences fjts mission. 

Matthew, III. ; Luke, III. 

*In the thirtieth year of his age, John com- 
menced to preach in the wilderness of Jndea. 
Hereby was fulfilled what had been spoken by 
the prophet Isaiah : The voice of one crying in 
the wilderness : 2 prepare ye the way of the Lord, 

1 When did John commence to preach in the wilderness ? 
8 What had Isaiah prophecied before this 1 



JOHN THE BAPTIST. 285 

make his paths straight. 3 John, was a son of 
Zacharias the priest and of Elizabeth, was very 
strict in his mode of living, 4 for he wore a 
raiment of camels' hair, and a leathern girdle 
about his loins ; his food was locusts and wild 
honey. 5 But John attracted notice chiefly by 
his preaching. He declared 6 that the promised 
King and Saviour would soon appear unto them, 
and called upon the people to prepare them- 
selves for his coming. He cried to the multi- 
tude : 7 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is 
at hand ! And many of the people of Jeru- 
salem and of the land of Judea 8 went out to him, 
and were baptized in the river Jordan, and made 
confession of their sins. Now when he saw 
many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come. to 
his baptism, he said unto them : 9 generation 
of vipers ! who hath warned you, that by the ac- 
ceptance of the outward baptism, ye shall escape 
the wrath to come ? 10 Bring forth, therefore, 
fruits worthy of repentance. He warned them 

3 What was John's mode af living? 

4 In what did this consist ? 

5 How did John chiefly attract notice ? 

6 What did he declare unto the people ? 

7 How did he cry unto the multitude ? 

8 Why did the people of Jerusalem and of the land of Judea, 
go out to him ? 

What did John say, when many of the Pharisees and Saddu- 
cees came to his baptism ? 
10 What did he command them to do ? 



286 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

earnestly, n not to rely upon their being de- 
scendants of Abraham, and that God therefore 
could not reject them ; for, said he, God is able 
of these stones to raise up children unto Abra- 
ham, and he doth not need you, that his pro- 
phecies may be fulfilled. 12 He also compared 
the unrepenting sinners to trees which do not 
bring forth good fruit, and warned them with 
the following words : 13 Now also the axe is laid 
unto the root of the trees, and every tree which 
bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and 
cast into the fire. Whilst he preached thus, 
the people asked him saying: What shall we 
do, then ? 14 He commanded them to be chari- 
table to each other, and said : 15 He that hath 
two coats let him give to him that hath none ; 
and he that hath meat let him do likewise. To 
the publicans who asked him : What shall we 
do ? he answered : 16 Exact no more than what is 
appointed you ; and to the soldiers who asked 
him the same question, he answered : 17 Do vio- 
lence to no man, neither accuse any falsely ; and 

11 Of what did he earnestly warn them ? 

12 With what did he compare the unrepenting sinners ? 

13 What warning instruction did he therefore give them ? 

14 What did he command the people, when they asked him : 
What shall we do ? 

15 What example did he give them of charity ? 

16 What did he say to the publicans when tbey asked him the 
same question ? 

17 What answer did he give the soldiers ? 



JOHN THE BAPTIST. 287 

be content with your wages. Now, the people 
imagined from his earnest and unusual teach- 
ings, 18 that he must be Christ, but he denied it 
openly, and said : 19 I indeed baptize with water, 
but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of 
whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; he shall 
baptize you with the Holy Ghost. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. It is not enough merely to confess our sins ; we 
must also abstain from doing wrong. 

2. Though too young to produce fruit, thy life 
should be full of hopeful blossoms. 

3. Thou also hast been baptized. Baptism denotes 
purification, therefore thou shouldst remain free from 
sin. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
He came, the messenger of grace, 

And stood on Jordan's shore. 
He gave repenting sinners peace 

And bade them sin no more. 
Then haste that precious grace to win 

Haste to God's throne on high, 
And in a better life begin 
To serve the Deity. 
Matthew, vii. 20, 21. Wherefore by their fruits ye 
shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, 
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; 
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is 
in heaven. 

18 Whom did the people imagine John to be ? 

19 How did he deny this supposition ? 



288 JESUS IS BAPTIZED BY JOHN. 

ST OK Y 13. 

Oesus is Oaptt^eb Ot) OoOn. 

Matthew, III ; Mark, I ; Luke, III ; John, IV. 

When John was baptizing on the shores of the 
Jordan, Jesus, who was then thirty years old, 
came up out of Galilee unto him, *to be bap- 
tized that he might be consecrated to the duties 
of the Messiah. But John at first hesitated, and 
said : 2 I have need to be baptized of thee, and 
comest thou to me ! But Jesus said : 3 Suffer it to 
be so now, for thus it becometb. us to fulfil all 
righteousness. Then John yielded and baptized 
Jesus in the Jordan. Now when he was bap- 
tized he went up out of the water and 4 lo ! the 
heavens were opened unto him, and the spirit of 
God descended like a dove upon him, and re- 
mained with him. Then a voice from heaven 
was heard, saying : 5 This is my beloved Son in 
whom I am well pleased. Through this, John 
knew 6 that he was the Saviour of the world, for 
God had said unto him : 7 Upon whom thou shalt 

1 Why did Jesus, when he was thirty years old, go up untc 
John? 

2 What answer did John make ? 

3 What did the Lord then say unto John ? 

4 What happened when Jesus went up out of the water ? 

5 What did the voice from heaven say ? 

6 What assurance did John thereby receive ? 
" What had God said to John ? 



Pao-e 2?9. 



Story 12. 




Jesus is baptised by John. 
25 



290 JESUS IS BAPTIZED BY JOHN. 

see the spirit descending, and remaining on 
him, the same is he which baptizeth with the 
Holy Ghost. John also bore witness of him 
before all the people, for when he saw Jesus on 
the following day, coming towards him, he said : 
8 Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away 
the sins of the world. But the people knew 
not yet of the great merit of our Lord, and 
thought him to be only the son of Joseph of 
Nazareth. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Jesus at his baptism was acknowledged as one 
with whom God was well pleased. Thou too hast 
been baptized, therefore consider if God is well 
pleased with thee. 

2. John went before the Eedeemer, and although 
not certain that it was he, reverenced him greatly. 
You are to follow the Saviour and can see him with 
your eyes, how much greater ought your reverence 
for him to be I 

3. The people considered Jesus merely as the son 
of Joseph. You know him to be the Son of God ; 
therefore love him above all things, and through him, 
seek salvation. 

8 What did John say when he saw Jesus coming towards him 
in the following day ? 

9 As the people knew not yet of the great merit of our Lord, 
whom did they think Jesus was 1 



JESUS IS TEMPTED EST THE WILDERNESS. 291 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

He who was sent before the Lord, 
With rev'rence meek and mild, 

Pointed, with high and holy word, 
To Zion's sainted child : 

" Behold the Lamb of Grod who soon 

Our race will sanctify ; 
Who will by most unrighteous doom 
For our salvation die." 
John, i. 14. — We beheld his glory, the glory of 
the only begotten of the father, full of grace and 
truth. 



. STORY 13 

3esus is temptcfc tit tlje uoifbcruess. 

Matthew, IY. ; Mark, I ; Luke, IV. 

Now when Jesus came back from being bap- 
tized, full of the Holy Ghost, Hie was led up by 
the spirit into the wilderness and there tempted 
of the devil. After he had fasted forty days 
and forty nights he was hungry. The tempter 
glad of the opportunity, stepped up to him and 
said : 2 If thou art the Son of God, which a voice 
from heaven lately declared unto thee, at thy 
baptism, command that these stones be made 
bread. But Jesus answered him and said : 3 It 

1 What happened after Jesus came back from being baptized ? 

2 What did the tempter say to Jesus when he was hungry ? 

3 What auswer did Jesus make? 



Page 292. 



Story 13. 




Jesus is tempted. 



JESUS IS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS. 293 

is written (Deut. viii. 3) : Man shall not live lyy 
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth 
out of the mouth of God. Thus he overcame 
the first temptation, by trusting in God, whose 
omnipotence can sustain the hungry even with- 
out bread. ^Then the devil took him up into 
the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the 
temple, on that side where there was a deep 
abyss, saying unto him : 5 If thou be the Son of 
God. cast thyself down : for it is written (Psalms 
xci. 11, 12) : 6 He shall give his angels charge 
concerning thee : and in their hands shall they 
bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy 
foot against a stone. But Jesus answered him 
again, saying: 7 It is also written (Deut. vi. 16) : 
Thou shait not tempt the Lord thy God. To 
tempt God means, wantonly and against the 
will of God to rush into danger. Then the 
devil took him up into an exceeding high moun- 
tain, 8 and showed him all the kingdoms of the 
world and the glory of them, and said unto him : 
"All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt 
fall down and worship me. Filled with holy 

4 Whither did the devil take Jesus ? 

5 What did he say to Jesus on the pinnacle of the temple ? 
c What passage did the devil quote ? 

7 How did he overcome the second temptation ? 

8 What did the devil show unto the Lord Jesus when he Lad 
brought him up into an exceedingly high mountain ? 

19 What did he then say unto him ? 
25* 



294 JESUS IS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS. 

indignation, Jesus answered him, and said : 
10 Get thee hence, Satan : for it is written : Thou 
shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only 
shalt thou serve. Then the devil left him, and 
behold, "angels of the Lord came and ministered 
unto him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Even Jesus was tempted ; how much less ought 
you to rely upon your righteousness and virtue. 
Never think yourself secure, for self-reliance is always 
dangerous. 

2. Jesus triumphed three times over the devil, by 
his knowledge of the Word of God. Therefore, have 
always passages from the Word of God, in thy heart, 
and they will serve as great protection in every temp- 
tation. 

3. Jesus was glorified by his steadfastness; for 
angels came and ministered unto him. Be thou also 
a steadfast champion of the Lord, and God will crown 
thee with honor. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Yield not to self-reliant pride, 

Nor deem thyself so sinless, pure ; 
The heart hath chords unmoved, untried, 
Which we ought ne'er to think secure. 
The highest and the purest fall ; 
Therefore, keep watch and ward o'er all. 
Corinthians, xvi. 13. Watch ye, stand fast in the 
faith, quit you like men, be strong. 

10 What did Jesus, filled with holy indignation, answer him ? 

11 Who came to Jesus when the devil had left him ? 



JESUS SELECTS THE TWELVE APOSTLES. 295 

STORY 14. 

3esus sefects t(}e ttoefue apostfes. 

From the four Evangelists. 

immediately after Jesus had been tempted in 
the wilderness, he commenced to teach the peo- 
ple, 2 now preaching in Judea and now in Gali- 
lee. His first earnest exhortation was : 3 Repent 
ye and believe in the Gospel, for the time is 
fulfilled and the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
His authority soon became very great ; 4 for he 
preached with power and effect, not as the 
scribes ; he also healed every kind of sickness, 
merely by the might of his word, 5 so that all 
who suffered from disease and sickness were 
brought to him, from different places. But 
Jesus already knew that he was not to remain 
long upon this earth, and would be unable him- 
self, to impart his holy instruction to all the 
people. 6 He therefore selected a few disciples 

1 What did Jesus commence after he had been tempted in the 
wilderness ? 

2 Where did he preach ? 

3 What was his first exhortation ? 

4 Why did the authority of Jesus soon become great among 
the people ? 

5 What effect had the power of the word of Jesus, with which 
he healed all manner of sickness ? 

6 What did Jesus do, as he was well aware, tbat he would not 
remain long upon this earth ? 



296 JESUS SELECTS THE TWELVE APOSTLES. 

or pupils. Many of them had already oeen 
disciples of John the Baptist, and as soon as he 
said unto them : Behold the Lamb of God who 
taketh away the sins of the world, they went 
unto Jesus, and became his disciples. 7 But 
those whom the Lord selected, were not learned 
and eminent men, but fishermen, publicans, and 
the like : 8 for in his choice he only selected those 
who had the ability and pious inclination, to 
assist in building up the kingdom of God. 
Therefore when some requested that they might 
become his followers, and he saw that they 
loved worldly wealth and comfort more than 
the kingdom of God, he rejected them. On one 
occasion, even one of the scribes offered himself, 
but soon gave up the intention when the Lord 
said unto him : 9 The foxes have holes and the 
birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man 
hath not where to lay his head. However he 
only selected his disciples by degrees, accord- 
ingly, as he found men whom he regarded as 
faithful and capable of fulfilling his work. 
10 Among the first that he chose was Simon, 
whom he afterwards called Peter, meaning a 
stone ; the circumstance by which he became 

7 What kind of people did be select as his diciples ? 

8 Whom did he select in his choice ? 

9 What made the scribe, who had offered himself as a follower 
of our Lord, quickly give up his intention ? 

10 Who was one of the first disciples of the Lord ? 



JESUS SELECTS 1HE TWELVE APOSTLES. 297 

the disciple of Jesus is as follows : Once when 
he was going to preach near the Lake of Gen- 
nesaret, the people pressed upon him to hear 
the word of God. Now when he saw two ships 
on the shore, he stepped into one of them which 
belonged to Simon, that he might be able to 
address the multitude with greater ease, and 
besought Simon that he would push out a little 
from the land. This was done, and n he taught 
the people out of the ship. And when he had 
ceased speaking, he said unto Simon : 12 Launch 
out into the deep and let down your nets. 
Simon answered him, saying : 13 Master, we have 
toiled all night and taken nothing : nevertheless 
at thy word I will let down the net. He and 
his assistants did so at once, and 14 they took at 
one draught such a quantity of iish that theii 
net brake. They then beckoned to their part- 
ners to bring the other vessel, to their assistance, 
and both ships were laden with fish so that they 
nearly sunk. When Simon Peter saw this, he 
and those who were with him, were frightened, 
and he said unto Jesus : 15 Depart from me ; for 
I am a sinful man, Lord. But Jesus an- 



11 What did he do on the Lake of Gennesaret ? 

12 What did he say to Simon after he had ceased speaking ? 

13 What answer did he make ? 

14 What did they find, when they drew up the net ? 

15 What did he now say unto the Lord ? 



29S JESUS SELECTS THE TWELVE APOSTLES. 

swe.-'-d him, saying : 16 Fear not, henceforth thou 
shalt catch men. "Thereupon he forsook all, 
and became a disciple of Jesus, together with 
his partners James and John, the two sons of 
Zebedee. 

18 From among all his disciples, Jesus after- 
wards selected twelve whom he called apostles 
or deputies, who were to be always near him, 
l9 that they might become worthy and capable, 
after his ascension into heaven, to go abroad 
into the world and teach his doctrines unto all 
nations. 20 The first of these was Simon Peter; 
the Second Andrew, his brother; the third 
James, a son of Zebedee, the fourth, his brother 
John; the fifth was called Philip; the sixth, 
Bartholomew ; the seventh, Thomas ; the eighth. 
Matthew, who had once been a publican ; the 
ninth, James, the son of Alpheus; the tenth, 
Simon, the Canaanite, who was also called Zelo- 
tes; the eleventh, Judas, surnamed Lebbeus, 
who was also called Thaddeus; the twelfth 
Judas Iscariot, who afterwards betrayed him, 
and in whose place Matthias was chosen. ^Be- 
sides these Jesus had seventy other desciples, 

16 What answer did Jesus give him ? 

17 What did Simon Peter and his partners now do ? 

18 How many apostles did Jesus select from among all of his 
disciples ? 

19 Why were the apostles always to be near the Lord 1 
* What were the names of the apostles ? 

m Who else went about preaching the doctrines of Jesus f 



• ESUS SELECTS THE TWELVE APOSTLES. 299 

whose duty it was to go about in the neighbor- 
ing country and preach his doctrines. When 
they returned from their missions, they either 
found Jesus at Capernaum, where he had taken 
up his abode, or awaited him there, and gave 
him an account of the success of their teaching. 
He did every thing in his power, to spread his 
doctrines as much as possible, during his life, 
and could say with truth : 22 The harvest is great, 
but the laborers are few ; pray ye the Lord of 
the harvest, that he sent more laborers into his 
vineyard. To his twelve apostles he gave 
extraordinary powers ; for, among other things, 
he said unto them : 23 Whosoever heareth you, 
heareth me, and who despiseth you, despiseth 
me. They still labored under the Jewish im- 
pression, that "the promised Saviour would 
establish an earthly kingdom : 25 but they were 
by degrees prepared by their Lord and Master, 
for the great work which they were to accom- 
plish after him. 26 Now when the eminent and 
learned among the people despised and mocked 
him, it was his delight to know that his apostles 
held fast to their faith in him, and once in his 

22 What did the Saviour say respecting the promulgation of 
his doctrine ? 

23 What extraordinary power did he give to the twelve apostles ? 

24 Under what impression did the apostles still labor ? 

85 For what were they by degrees prepared by the Lord ? 
■■ Who among the people desoised the Lord ? 



300 JESUS SELECTS THE TWELVE APOSTLES. 

rejoicing he prayed : 27 I thank thee, Father, 
Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast 
hid these things from the wise and prudent, and 
hast revealed them unto babes. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. If you associate with righteous men for useful 
purposes, you will be able to accomplish blessed and 
lasting effects. How much does the world not owe to 
the connexion which existed between Jesus and his 
apostles? 

2. Jesus is the son of God, to him you must pray ; 
but his apostles were his messengers to mankind, and 
are among the greatest benefactors we have had; we 
should therefore hold their memory in reverence and 
esteem. 

3. By sending his apostles abroad into the world, 
Jesus established the office of minister of the gospel. 
Do, therefore, what the preacher commands thee, in 
the name of Jesus. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Go, preach my gospel, saith the Lord, 

Explain to man my sacred word, 

Bid the whole earth my grace receive: 

Bid them believe, obey and live. 

I'll make my great commission known, 

By all the works that I have done. 

87 How did Jesus thank his heavenly Father for the joy he ex- 
perienced in the steadfastness and faith of his apostles ? 



JESUS CONVERSES WITH A 301 

John, xv. 16. I have chosen you and ordained you, 
that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your 
fruit should remain. 



STORY 1,5. 

3esus ctmoerses rott(j a rooman from Samaria. 

John, IY. 

On one of his journeys from Judea to Galilee, 
our Lord had to pass through the land of Sa- 
maria, and he came to the city of Sichar, near 
to the piece of ground which Jacob gave to his 
son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there, and 
the Lord sat down beside it, to rest ; his disciples 
had gone into the city, to buy meat ; for it was 
just the hour of noon. And there came a 
woman of Samaria to the well to draw water, 
and Jesus said unto her : *Give me a drink. 
She answered him, and said : 2 How canst thou, 
being a Jew, ask a drink of me, who am a wo- 
man of Samaria? 3 For the Jews hated the 
Samaritans from olden times, on account of their 
religion, and had no dealings with them. Jesus, 
who was full of love for every one, said unto 

1 What did Jesus say to the woman of Samaria who came to 
draw water ? 

2 What did the astonished woman answer ? 

3 Why did the Jews hate the Samaritans ? 

26 



Story 15. 



Pa.ee 302. 




Jesus and the woman from Samaria 



WOMAN FEOM SAMARIA. 803 

her : 4 If thou knewest the gift which God has in 
store for thee, and who it is that saith unto thee, 
give me a drink, thou wouldst have asked of 
him, and he would have given thee living 
water. This appeared strange to the woman, 
and she said : 5 Sir, thou hast nothing to draw 
water with, and the well is deep ; from whence, 
then, wilt thou obtain that living water ? Thou 
art certainly not greater than our father Jacob, 
who bequeathed to us this well, and drank 
thereof himself? Hereupon, Jesus answered : 
6 Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst 
again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I 
shall give him, shall never thirst ; but the water 
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of 
water springing up into everlasting life. The 
woman thinking he was speaking of water, such 
as she had drawn from the well, said unto Jesus : 
7 Sir, give me this water, I pray thee, that I may 
not have to come again to the well to draw. 
Jesus then resolved to make himself known in 
another way, and therefore said unto her : 8 Go, 

4 What did Jesus ask the woman ? 

5 How did the woman express her surprise at the words of 
the Lord ? 

6 What answer did Jesus make ? 

7 What request did she make of Jesus, as she thought he 
was speaking of water, such as she had just drawn from the 
well ? 

8 What did Jesus say unto the woman of Samaria in order to 
make himself known unto her? 



304 JESUS CONVERSES WITH A 

call thy husband; and come hither, again. The 
woman answered him in some alarm, saying : 
I have no husband. Jesus answered: 10 Thou 
hast spoken truly ; for thou hast had five hus- 
bands, and he whom thou now hast, is not thy 
husband. The woman was much astonished, 
and said unto him: n Sir, I perceive that thou 
art a prophet. Then quickly changing the sub- 
ject of their conversation, she said : Decide who 
is in the right ? Our fathers worshipped in this 
mountain, and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the 
place where men ought to worship. Jesus 
answered : 12 Woman, believe me, the hour 
cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, 
nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father; for, he 
continued, God is a spirit, and those who wor- 
ship him, shall worship him in spirit and in truth. 
Then, the woman said unto him : 13 I know that 
Messias cometh, who will tell us all things. 
Jesus answered : 14 I, that speak unto thee, am he. 
Hereupon, the disciples returned, and were 
astonished that he spake with a woman of Sa- 

9 What did the woman answer ? 

10 What answer did Jesus make, when the woman said : I 
have no husband ? 

11 What did the woman say, when she found that Jesus knew 
everything concerning her ? 

12 What answer did Jesus make, when tte woman asked him 
to decide on the proper place of worship ? 

13 What did the woman say of Messias ? 
M What answer did Jesus make ? 



WOMAN FROM SAMAEIA. 305 

maria ; but no one asked him, What hast thou 
said unto her. 15 But the woman left her water- 
pot and went into the city, and said unto the 
people : 16 Come, see a man who told me all things 
that ever I did ; is not this the Christ ? Then 
they went out of the city unto Jesus, and 17 beg- 
ged him to remain with them. 18 He remained 
there two days, and 19 the Samaritans believed in 
him ; many, because of what the woman had 
said, and a great many more because of his own 
word. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. We must despise no one because his belief 
differs from our own, and above all not hate them; 
for among all nations there are many who love 
the truth, and willingly receive it. 

2. As soon as we begin to be righteous, and to 
reflect properly, there shall spring up within us a 
well of everlasting life. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

All glorious God, what hymns of praise 
Shall our transported voices raise ? 
What ardent love and zeal are due, 
While heaven stands open to our view? 

15 What did the woman do when the disciples of Jesus came ? 
i 6 What did the woman say to the people in the city ? 

17 What did the people of the city request Jesus to do ? 

18 How long did the Lord remain in the city of Sichar ? 

w What effect did his stay among the Samaritans produce 
26* 



306 THE POOL OF BETHESDA. 

Once we were fallen, and how low I 
Just on the brink of endless woe: 
When Jesus, from the realms above, 
Borne on the wings of boundless love, 

Scattered the shades of death and night, 
And spread around his heavenly light : 
By him what wondrous grace is shown 
To souls impoverished and undone. 

John, viii. 12. — Then spake Jesus again unto them, 
saying : I am the light of the world : he that folio w- 
eth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have 
the light of life. 



STORY 16. 

Stje poof of 33et0esba. 

John, Y. 

There was, in Jerusalem, a pool called 1 Betli- 
esda, the waters of which possessed healing pro- 
perties. Round about it there were five covered 
porches, in which the blind, the lame, the 
withered and other sick used to lie. 2 At certain 
times an angel descended into this fountain, and 
troubled the water ; whosoever then stepped in 
first, after the troubling of the water, 3 was healed 

of whatever disease he might have. Among the 

1 What was the pool at Jerusalem called, whose waters pos- 
sessed healing properties ? 

2 What is told of this pool, in the Scriptures ? 

3 What happened to him who first stepped into the water after 
it was troubled? 



THE POOL OF BETHESDA. 307 

rest there was a man 4 who had been troubled 
with an infirmity for thirty-eight years, and who 
had waited to try the virtues of this pool. 
When Jesus saw this pitiful object, and learned 
that he had lain there a long time, he said unto 
him : 5 Wilt thou be made whole ? The sick man 
answered : 6 Sir, I have no man, when the water 
is troubled, to put me into the pool; but when 
I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 
Hereupon, Jesus said unto him : Rise, take up 
thy bed and walk ! 7 and immediately the man 
was made whole, took up his bed and went into 
his house. s This was on the Sabbath-day. Now 
when some of the Jews saw the man who had 
been healed, they called unto him, and said : 9 It 
is not proper that thou should'st carry thy bed 
to-day, for it is the Sabbath. But he answered 
them, saying : 10 He who hath healed me, said 
unto me : Take up thy bed and go unto thy 
house ! Now the Jews asked him : "Who is the 

4 How long had the sick man been troubled, who still waited 
to try the virtues of this pool ? 

5 What did the Lord say unto him ? 

6 What answer did the sick man make ? 

' What happened when Jes :s said unto him : Arise, take up 
thy bed and walk ? 

8 On what day did the Lord perform this miracle ? 

9 What did the Jews say, when the man who had been healed 
carried his bed on the Sabath ? 

10 How did he justify himself ? 

11 What other question did the Jews put to him ? 



308 THE POOL OF BETHESDA. 

man that hath said this unto thee? 12 But 
he knew not who it was, and could not even 
point out Jesus unto them, for he had already 
gone away. Afterwards Jesus found him in the 
temple, and said unto him : 13 Behold thou art 
made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing 
come unto thee. Then the man who had been 
sick knew his benefactor, u and told the Jews that 
it was Jesus who had healed him. 15 They at once 
began to persecute Jesus, because he had done & 
good deed on the Sabbath-day. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. God's great mercy is recognized in the many 
remedies he has given us for sickness, although we 
are often sick through our own imprudence. 

3. In the days of health do thy dnty honestly, and 
be attentive to the house of God ; for in sickness thou 
canst do neither. 

3. If thou hast been sick and art restored to health 
praise the Lord with all thy strength and all thy 
heart, and try to lead a pious and useful life. 

12 Why was this last question of the Jews in vain ? 

13 What did Jesus say to him who had been healed, when he 
met him afterwards in the temple ? 

* What did the man then say to the Jews ? 
15 "Why did the Jews now persecute Jesus ? 



JESUS HEALETH ON THE SABBATH. 309 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

In my distress to God I cried, 

Who kindly did relieve, 
And from the grave's expecting month 

My hopeless life retrieve. 

! to his conrts, ye saints of his, 

"With songs of praise repair; 
With me commemorate his trnth, 

And providential care. 

Psalms, 1. 15. And call upon me in the day of 
trouble ; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify 



STORY 17. 

3esus fjeafetfj on tf)e 8a06at0. 

Mark, I., Luke, VI., XIII., XIT. 

God had commanded the Jews mot to work 
on the Sabbath, meaning that no such work 
should be done as on other days of the week ; but 
the Pharisees put a very different construction 
on this law, and 2 forbid even works of charity 
and mercy to be done on that day. Jesus, who 
obeyed every law strictly, at the same time 
rejecting every false or strained intepretation, 
3 had, therefore, no scruple in healing the sick on 

1 What had God commanded the Jews not to do on the Sab- 
bath-day ? 

2 What did the Pharisees forbid ? 
* In what had Jesus no scruple ? 



310 JESUS HEALETH ON THE SABBATH. 

the Sabbath. 4 In this way he gave his followers 
an example how they might properly pass the 
Sabbath. Now Jesus came unto Capernaum, 
and went on the Sabbath-day into the synagogue 
or school, to teach. There was there a man 
with an unclean spirit. But in spite of his 
insanity he recognized Jesus, and cried unto him : 
5 Let us alone ; what have we to do with thee, 
thou Jesus of Nazareth ? Art thou come to des- 
troy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy 
One of God. 6 Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, 
saying : Hold thy peace and come out of him. 
7 And when the evil spirit had torn him, and 
cried with a loud voice, he came out of him, 
and troubled him no more. All who were near 
him were amazed, and asked one another: 
8 What thing is this? What new doctrine is 
this which is supported by such miracles ? He 
commandeth with authority, even the unclean 
spirits, and they obey him. 

On another day, Jesus found a man in the 
synagogue 9 whose right hand was withered. 
The Scribes and Pharisees now watched to see 

4 What did the Lord thereby give his followers? 

6 What did the man with the unclean spirit say unto Jesus, 
when he went on the Sabath-day to teach in the synagogue at 
Capernaum ? 

6 Hew did the Lord relieve the suffer ? 

7 What happened immediately on the command of the Lord ? 

8 What did the lookers on now ask of each other? 

• Whom did he find on another Sabbath-day in the synagogue ? 



JESUS HEALETH ON THE SABBATH. 311 

"whether he would heal on the Sabbath-day, 
that they might find an accusation against him. 
Our Lord knew their thoughts, and said unto 
them, after he had commanded the afflicted 
man to stand forth in the midst of them : n I 
will ask you one thing ; is it lawful on the Sab- 
bath-day to do good or to do evil, to save life or 
to destroy it? 12 They were silent. Then the 
Lord looked at them with displeasure, and 
grieved at the depravity and wickedness of 
their hearts, he spake unto the man : 13 Stretch 
forth thy hand. He did so, and behold 14 the 
withered hand was restored ! 15 Now the Phari- 
sees were filled with rage, and went out and con> 
muned one with another what they should do 
unto Jesus. 16 But Jesus escaped to the sea. 
He was again teaching on the Sabbath ir one 
of the synagogues, -when behold, there v ame 
unto him a woman, who had been afflicted with 
an incurable malady for eighteen years; for 
she was quite bent and could not raise her head. 
As soon as the Lord saw her, he called Id er to 
him, and said unto her: "Woman, thcu art 

10 Why did the Scribes and Pharisees watch him ? 

11 What question did the Lord put to them ? 

12 Did they answer him ? 

13 What did the Lord now say to the afflicted man ? 

14 What happened when the man stretched forth hi? hand? 

15 What did the Pharisees now do ? 

15 What happened to prevent their design ? 
17 How did the Lord, on the Sabbath-day, heal the v >man who 
had been afflicted for eighteen years ? 



312 JESUS HEALETH ON THE SABBATH. 

healed of thine infirmity; then he laid his 
hand upon her, and immediately she was made 
straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of 
the synagogue was angry, and spake unto the 
people: 18 There are six days in which man 
ought to work : in them, therefore, come and be 
healed, and not on the Sabbath-day. The Lord 
then answered him, and said : 19 Thou hypocrite ! 
Doth not each of you, on the Sabbath, take his 
cattle from the stall and lead them to water? 
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of 
Abraham, whom Satan hath bound these eigh- 
teen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sab- 
bath-day ? When he had said this, those who 
had opposed him were ashamed ; 20 but all the 
people rejoiced in the glory of the works which 
he performed among them. 

At another time our Lord was invited to eat, 
on the Sabbath-day, at the house of one of the 
chief Pharisees ; and his enemies watched him 
again, for there came to him a man who had 
the dropsy. Then Jesus turned unto the Phari- 
sees, saying : 21 Is it lawful to heal on the Sab- 
bath-day ? But they all held their peace and 

18 What did the ruler of the synagogue say unto the people? 

19 How did the Lord shame his opponents ? 

20 What impression did the works of the Lord make upon the 
people ? 

21 What did Jesus ask the Pharisees on another Sabbath, when 
there came to him a man having the dropsy ? 



JESUS HEALETH ON THE SABBATH. 31 '6 

were silent. 22 He took the sick man, healed him, 
and let him go. And as he guessed their secret 
thoughts, he questioned them, saying : 23 Which 
of you having an ox or an ass, which has fallen 
into a pit, would not pull him out on the Sab- 
bath-day ? ^And they were again unable to 
answer him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Yon must refrain from ordinary labor on the 
Sabbath-day ; for in this the body alone is benefited, 
whereas the Sabbath is appointed expressly for the 
good of our souls. 

2. But on the Sabbath-day we may unhesitatingly 
perform all works of necessity and charity; for these 
are actions whereby God is honored. 

3. On the Sabbath, we may also, according to the ex- 
ample of our Lord, enjoy any innocent amusement ; 
but we must never permit one to pass away, without 
doing something for the salvation of our souls. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
O joy to greet life's flowing stream, 
Where sparkling waters dance and gleam ; 
Where all are cleansed alike from sin, 
Who seek a higher life to win. 
The world's bright joys allure in vain, 
When we salvation's crown may gain, 
When even here on earth we raise 
A temple to the Lord's high praise. 

22 What did the Lord do, when the Pharisees were silent ? 

23 What did the Lord ask about healing on the Sabbath, when 
he guessed their thoughts ? 

24 How did the Pharisees answer the Lord's question ? 

27 



314 THE YOUNG MAN OF NAIN, 

Ezehiel, xx. 20. And hallow my Sabbaths ; and 
they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye 
may know that I am the Lord your God. 



STORY 18. 

&0e pung man of DTatn emu tfje bauQ§tcr of 
Oatrus. 

Luke, VII., VIII, 

Our Lord 1 had the power not only to heal the 
sick by a single word, but even to raise the dead. 
Once he went into a city called Nain, and many 
of his disciples, and of the people, followed him. 
And behold, when he came to the gate of the 
city 2 they were bringing out a dead man, who 
waa the only son of a widowed mother. When 
she saw our Lord, she complained to him and 
wept, and he had compassion on her, and said : 
3 Weep not. Then he went up and touched the 
bier, and they that bare it stood still. Jesus 
spake unto the dead, and said : 4 Young man, 1 
say unto thee, arise ! 5 Awakened by these words, 
he that was dead, sat up and began to speak. 
Hereupon all the people were filled with awe and 

1 "What power had our Lord ? 

* What were they bringing out of the city of Nain, when Jesua 
came there, accompanied by his disciples ? 

3 What did the Lord say unto the weeping mother ? 

4 What did the Lord say when he touched the bier? 
6 What happened when he said these words ? 



Story 18. 



Page 315. 




The young man of Nain and the daughter of Jarius. 



816 AND THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS. 

amazement, and glorified God, saying : 6 A great 
prophet has risen up among us, and God has 
visited his people with mercy. The lame of 
this event went forth throughout all Judea, and 
the region round-about. After this a ruler of a 
synagogue, named Jairus, came to Jesus, fell at 
his feet and 7 begged him to go into his house, 
saying, that he had an only daughter twelve 
years of age, who was at the point of death. 
Whilst he was going there, he was detained a 
few moments by a sick woman, whom he healed. 
This was scarcely done, when there came one 
from the house of the ruler of the syagogue, and 
said unto Jairus : 8 Trouble not the master; thy 
daughter is dead. But our Lord comforted the 
father, saying : 9 Fear not, believe only, and thy 
daughter shall be made whole. On their en- 
trance into the house, they were all weeping 
and bewailing the death of the young girl; 
Jesus spake unto them : 10 Weep not ; she is not 
dead, but sleepeth. n Some of those who were 
present laughed him to scorn, for they did not 

6 What did the witnesses of this miracle say ? 

7 What did Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue, beg of the Lord ? 

8 What was said to Jairus as he was going with Jesus unto 
uis house? 

9 How did the Lord comfort the father ? 

10 What did he say on his entrance into the house, when they 
were all weeping ? 

11 How did some of the bystanders receive the word's of the 
Lord? 



THE YOUNG MAN OF NADS', ETC. 317 

understand these words of comfort. He then 
ordered all the people to leave the house, ^ex- 
cepting only the parents of the girl and three 
of his disciples. Hereupon he went up to the 
couch of the dead, took the girl by the hand, 
and said: 13 Maiden, I say unto thee arise. 
14 Then her spirit came back to her; she arose 
and walked. The fame of this miracle also, 
went abroad through the whole country. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The young man may die. Prepare, therefore, 
for eternity, which may be nearer than you suppose. 

2. At your birth many were glad whilst you wept. 
Live therefore, righteously through life, that at your 
death you may rejoice whilst others weep. 

3. Here we find two loved ones restored to their 
parents. Our loved ones too, will at one time be 
restored to us by the Lord, not as they were on earth, 
but far better and purer. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Teach me to live that I may dread 
The grave as little as my bed; 
Teach me to die that so I may 
Rise glorious at that awful day. 
Eedeem my misspent moments past, 
And live each day as if the last. 

John, xvi, 12. — Your heart shall rejoice, and youi 
joy no man taketh from you. 

u Whom did the Lord keep with him in the house ? 
18 How did he address the dead ? 
14 What happened after he had spoken to her ? 
27* 



318 



THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER. 



STORY 19. 

pe partiOfe of tfje soraer. 

Matthew, XIII. ; Mark, IV. ; Luke, Till. 

Our Lord now went with his apostles through, 
the towns and cities, teaching the people the 
Gospel of the kingdom of God. He was one 
day teaching by the sea side, and there came to 
him such a multitude of people, that he entered 
into a ship and preached unto them, * Jesus was 
in the habit of clothing his language in parables. 
2 He one day compared himself to a sower, and 
said : 3 There went out a man to sow in the fields, 
and whilst he was sowing, some of the grains 
fell by the way-side, 4 which were trodden down, 
and devoured by the fowls of the air, some fsll 
on stony ground and sprang up quickly, because 
there was not much earth, and the warm sun 
made them grow ; 5 but these soon withered, for 
they had but little root. Many of the grains 
fell among thorns, and when they grew up 6 were 
choked by them. Others again fell upon good 

1 How was Jesus in the habit of addressing the people ? 

2 To what did he one day compare himself ? 

3 What happened according to this parable, as the sower was 
dropping the seed ? 

4 What happened to the grains which were dropped by the 
way-side ? 

6 What became of those which fell on stony ground? 
* What of those which fell among thorns ? 



Page 319. 



Story 19. 




The parable of the Sower. 



320 THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER. 

ground, 7 and they brought forth good fruit, even 
an hundred fold. And when Jesus had finished 
the parable, he said : 8 He that hath ears to 
hear, let him hear. When he was again alone, 
with his disciples, they asked him the meaning 
of the parable. He gave them the following 
explanation : 9 The seed is the word of the king- 
dom of God. 10 The grains dropped by the way 
side, represent those who hear the word, but do 
not receive it; then the devil cometh and taketh 
the word from their hearts, that they fail to be- 
lieve and are not saved. The grains which fall 
upon stony ground, n are those who accept the 
word for a time, and believe in it joyfully; but 
having no root, those who have accepted the 
word are fickle and offended with the Lord ; for 
when tribulation or persecution ariseth, on ac- 
count of the word, they fall away. The grains 
growing among the thorns, are like 12 those who 
having heard the word of God, neglect it for the 
cares, riches and pleasures of the world, so that 
it can bring forth no fruit. 13 But the seed sowr 

7 What of others which fell upon good ground ? 

8 What did Jesus say, when he finished the parable ? 

9 According to Christ's interpretation what does the seed rep- 
resent ? 

10 What are the grains dropped by the way-side ? 

11 What do the grains which fall on stony ground represent ? 

12 What are the grains growing among thorns like ? 

13 Who are represented by the seed which have fallen upon * 
good ground ? 



THE PAEABLE OF THE SOWER. 321 

ir\ good ground, represent those who, hearing the 
word, accept it and preserve it in truth and 
purity in their hearts; they alone bring forth 
good fruit, some thirty, some a hundred fold. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Seek to discover whether your heart is a good 
or a bad soil ; if the former, endeavor, by the spirit of 
God, to preserve it ; if a bad one, try with the help of 
the Lord, to improve it. 

2. The Word of God, to bring forth good fruit, 
must be preserved and reflected upon in the depths 
of our heart. We must not merely hear the word, 
like those by the way-side ; not only be moved by it, 
like those on stony ground ; still less should we allow 
the cares and pleasures of the world to stifle it. 

3. If we wish to bring forth rich fruits of right- 
eousness and virtue, we must be patient. For every- 
thing cannot be accomplished at once. The seed re- 
quires time to grow, and the human heart also needs 
time for improvement. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

0, may thy ever guiding hand 

Lead us in truth and love ; 
That like unto the fruitful land, 

We too may fruitful prove ; 
And patiently may wait to bear 
The seed of thy all righteous care, 

Within our heart of hearts! 

James , i. 21. Eeceive with meekness the engrafted 
word, which is able to save your souls. 



322 THE TAKES AMONG ?HE WHEAT. 

STOK1 20. 

%()z £ures among tfje TtfOeat. 

Matthew, XIII. 

Our Lord Jesus again spake unto the people 
m another parable, saying: x The kingdom of 
heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his 
field. But whilst his people were asleep, 2 his 
enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, 
and went his way. Now when the seed sprang 
up and bore fruit, the 3 tares appeared also. As 
soon as the servants of the household observed 
this, they went unto their master, and said : 
*Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field, 
whence then, hath it tares? The master 
answered them : 5 An enemy has done this. 
Then the servants asked him : Shall we not go 
and weed them out? But the master said : No, 
you might also root up the wheat in destroying 
the tares. Let them both grow together until 
the harvest, then I will say to the reapers: 
6 First gather together the tares, and bind them 
in bundles, that they may be burnt ; but gather 

1 According to the parable of Jesus, what is the kingdom of 
heaven like ? 

2 What happened when the people were asleep 1 

3 What appeared when the seed sprang up ? 

4 What did the servants therefore, say to their master ? 
6 What answer did the master give them ? 

6 What did he say he would direct the reapers to do at the 
time of the harvest ? 



THE TARES AMONG- THE WHEAT. 323 

the wheat into my barn. After the people had 
departed, the disciples again requested him 7 to 
explain to them the parable of the tares among 
the wheat. He answered, saying : 8 The Son of 
Man is he that hath sown good seed, 9 and the 
field meaneth the world. 10 The good seed are 
the children of the kingdom of God ; n on the 
contrary, the tares are the children of wicked- 
ness. 12 The enemy who has sown them is the 
devil; 13 the harvest is the end of the world, 
u and the reapers are the angels of God. 15 Even 
as the tares are selected and thrown into the 
fire, so it will be on the day of judgment. 16 The 
Son of Man will send forth his angels, and they 
will gather together all the sinners and workers 
of iniquity, and throw them into the fiery fur- 
nace, where there shall be wailing and gnashing 
of teeth; 17 bui the just shall shine like the sun 
in their Father's kingdom. Who hath ears to 
hear, let him hear. 

7 "What did the disciples now request the Lord to do ? 

8 According to the explanation of Jesus, who is he that hath 
sow i good seed ? 

9 What does the field denote ? 

10 What men are represented by the good seed ? 

11 Which by the tares ? 

12 Who is the enemy that hath sown the tares ? 
la What is the harvest to represent ? 

14 Who are the reapers ? 

15 What does the Lord say of the end of the world ? 

14 What will be the fate of all sinners and workers of iniquity ? 
17 fVhat will happen to the just ? 



324 BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. If we wish to retain the innate good in our hearts, 
and bring it to great perfection, we must keep a strict 
watch upon every action of our lives. If we sleep, the 
enemy will come and sow tares for our destruction. 

2. Be careful that thou art not a tare among the 
wheat, much less the enemy that sows them. 

3. On earth, we always find tares among the wheat, 
the wicked always dwell among the good ; but reflect 
that there cometh a day of winnowing, when the 
great difference between them shall be revealed. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
And will the Judge descend? 

And must the dead arise ? 
And not a single soul escape 

His all discerning eyes ? 
And from his righteous lips 

Shall the dread sentence sound ; 
And through the numerous guilty throng 
Spread black despair around ? 
2 Timothy, ii. 19. The Lord knoweth them that 
are his. And let every one that nameth the name of 
Christ depart from iniquity. 



STORY 31. 

£0e OeOenbuu] of 3o(jn tfje 35apttst. 

Matthew, XIV. ;' Mark, VI. 

John the Baptist stood high in the estimation 
of king Herod, because he knew him to be a 

1 Why did John the Baptist stand high in the estimation of 
king Herod ? 



Storv 21. 



Paee 325. 




The beheading of John the Baptist. 



326 BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

righteous and holy man. The king listened to 
his teachings with pleasure, and sometimes fol- 
lowed his advice. Herod, however, had a wife 
2 called Herodias, Actually the wife of his brother 
Philip, and whom he had taken away from his 
brother. John could not countenance such an 
unlawful union, and he therefore said unto the 
king, with all humility : 4 It is not lawful for 
thee to have thy brother's wife. The king was 
silent when he heard this truth ; 5 but the queen 
bore ever after, towards John, the most irrecon- 
cilable hatred, and insisted upon his being killed. 
She urged her husband to do so, but only suc- 
ceeded 6 in causing him to be arrested, and thrown 
into prison. Herod would probably have com- 
plied with the wishes of his wife, 7 if he had not 
feared the people, 8 who honored John as a pro- 
phet. At length an opportunity occurred 9 to 
gratify the blood-thirsty desire of Herodias. It 
came to pass that Herod was celebrating his 
birth-day, 10 and gave a great feast to all the 

2 What was the name of Herod's wife ? 

3 Whose wife was Herodias actually ? 

4 What did John say to Herod ? 

8 What effect did this produce on the queen ? 

6 What did she succeed in effecting against John? 

7 What prevented Herod from complying with the wishes of 
his wife ? 

8 As what did the people honor John ? 

9 What was the queen at length enabled to gratify ? 

10 What did the king give to all his high officers, on the cele- 
bration cf his birth-day ? 



BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 327 

high officers of his court. n At this feast Sa- 
lome, the daughter of Herodias, danced before 
her step-father and his guests, for their amuse- 
ment. Her dancing pleased the king and the 
company so well, that Herod said unto her: 
12 Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will 
give it thee. He even swore an oath, ^promis- 
ing to grant her request, even unto half his 
kingdom. Salome who did not know what to 
ask, 14 went out to obtain her mother's advice. 
The cruel mother answered and said : 15 Ask for 
the head of John the Baptist ; and Salome at 
once demanded of her father, 16 that the head 
of John should be given to her upon a charger 
17 The king was, indeed, very sorry, but for the 
sake of his oath, and on account of those which 
sat with him, he was weak enough to 18 fulfil the 
hasty promise which he had made. And imme- 
diately the king sent an executioner, and com- 
manded his head to be brought, 19 and he went 
and beheaded John in the prison, and laid the 

11 Who danced before Herod ? 

9 What did the king say to his daughter, because he was 
pleased with the dance ? 

13 What did he even swear ? 

14 To whom did the daughter go to ask advice ? 
16 What did the cruel mother say to her ? 

16 What did the daughter therefore demand? 

17 How did the king receive this request ? 

18 What was he weak enough to do ? 

19 What now happened to John ? 



328 BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

head upon a charger, and brought it to the 
damsel, 20 who gave it to her mother, and Hero- 
dias rejoiced greatly at what had been done. 
21 When the faithful disciples heard of the fate of 
John, they went and buried his body. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Be careful to keep your heart open to all good 
impressions, and closely sealed to every wicked 
thought. 

2. We ought never to sully a single day with sin, 
and above all we should refrain from evil on days 
which we consider marked or important in our lives. 

3. Let not the fear of man or the gratification of hiy 
pleasure, hold you back from virtue. Hold fast to 
righteousness, even though you suffer in the cause *, 
for this giveth honor and salvation. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS 
Who is this that comes from Edom, 

All his raiment stained with blood, 
To the captive bringing freedom, 

Bringing and bestowing good ? 
Glorious in the garb he wears, 
Glorious in the spoil he bears ! 
'Tis the Saviour, now victorious, 

Travelling onward in his might; 
'Tis the Saviour, O how glorious, 

To his people in their sight ! 

10 To whom did the daughter give the head of John the Baptist T 
° How did John's disciples honor him, when they heard of his 
death? 



JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE. 329 

Matthew, v. 10. Blessed are they which are perse 
cuted for righteousness' sake ; f or theirs is the king- 
dom of heaven. 



STORY 22. 

Oesus feebs ftoe tfjouscmb pcopfe. 

Matthew, XIY. ; Mark, VI. ; Luke, IX. ; John, VI. 

Once when Jesus was returning to Galilee, he 
crossed the sea and landed in the region round 
about Tiberias. And there followed him a great 
multitude who were going to the feast of 
the passover, which was held in Jerusalem, Hhat 
they might witness his miracles with the sick. 
Jesus and his disciples ascended a small eleva- 
tion, and sat down upon the ground. Mow, 
when our Lord looked round upon the multitude, 
he was grieved, for they were to him 2 like sheep 
that had no shepherd ; and he 3 preached to them 
for a long time about the kingdom of God, and 
4 healed all that were sick. When it was even- 
ing the disciples came to him, and said : 5 Send 
the multitude away, that they may go into the 
markets and villages for food and lodging. Jesus 

1 Why did the multitude follow our Lord when he was return- 
ing into Galilee ? 

2 Why was the Lord grieved when he looked round upon the 
multitude ? 

3 About what did he preach to the people for a long time ? 

4 How did he further prove himself the benefactor of man ? 
* What did the disciples say to him when it was evening ? 

28* 



330 JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE. 

answered them, saying: 6 T hey need not depart; 
but prepare food for them, that they may eat. 
Then the disciples asked him : 7 Shall we go and 
buy bread ? Jesus lifted up his eyes to see how 
many of the people had come unto him, and 
said to Philip : 8 Where shall we buy bread that 
these may eat? 9 But he only said this to prove 
him, for he knew well what he was about to do. 
Philip answered : 10 Two hundred pennyworth 
(twenty-five dollars) of bread is not sufficient for 
them, that every one may take a little. He now 
asked them how much bread they had, and 
Andrew, one of his disciples, answered : n There 
is a lad here who has five barley-loaves, and two 
small fishes ; but what are they among so many ? 
Hereupon, Jesus spake, saying : 12 Bring them to 
me, and make the people sit down. This was 
done, 13 and the whole multitude sat down upon 
the grass, in rows of fifties and hundreds. Now 
the Lord Jesus took the rive loaves, u looked up 

6 What did the Lord answer ? 

7 What did the disciples now ask him ? 

8 What did Jesus say to Philip ? 

9 Why did he propose this question to Philipt 

10 What auswer did he receive ? 

11 What did Andrew answer, when Jesus asked his disciples 
how much bread they had ? 

12 What did Jesus say in rep'y ? 

13 What did the people do ? 

14 How did Jesus glorify his Heavenly Father before the dia- 
fribution of the food ? 



JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE. 331 

to heaven, prayed and gave thanks, brake the 
food and gave it to his disciples, who distributed 
it to the people. 15 The bread and the fishes 
were miraculously multiplied ; the whole multi- 
tude ate of the five barley loaves and the two 
fishes, and were satisfied. When the hunger of 
the people was appeased, Jesus said unto his 
disciples : 16 Gather up the fragments that remain, 
that nothing be lost ; 17 and they filled twelve 
baskets with the fragments of the five loaves 
and two fishes. Of those that had eaten, there 
were five thousand men, besides women and 
children. Now when the people saw the miracle 
which Jesus had performed, they said : 18 This is 
of a truth that prophet that should come into 
the world. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Before you provide food for your body, you 
should strengthen your soul with prayer. 

2. Avoid both avarice and prodigality in the gifts 
which God has given you. 

3. If God blesses the little that we have, it will 
serve us to a greater purpose. Therefore render 
jrourself worthy of heavenly blessings, by righteous- 
ness and virtue. 

15 What happened to the food, whilst it was being distributed 
to the people ? 

16 What did the Lord say to his disciples after the multitude 
was satisfied ? 

17 How many baskets were filled with fragmente ? 
w What did the people say of this miracle ? 



332 JESUS HEALS THE DAUGHTER, ETC. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
The man is blest that fears the Lord, 

Nor only worship prays, 
But keeps his steps confined with care 

In his appointed ways. 
He shall upon the sweet returns 

Of his own labor feed ; 
Without dependence live, and see 

His wishes all succeed. 

Jeremiah, xvii. 7. Blessed is the man that trusteth 
in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 



ST OKY 23. 

Oesus tjeafs tfje baugljter of a peatjen motljer. 

Matthew, XY. ; Mark, VI. 

After these things, our Lord Jesus came unto 
the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into 
a house, and would have no man know it; but 
he could not be hid. For behold, there came 
unto him a woman, a heathen, who had heard 
of him, and cried with a loud voice, saying : 
^ave mercy on me, Lord, thou son of David ! 
My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 
2 But he answered her not a word, and pretended 
not to notice her. Then came his disciples 

1 How did the heathen mother, who had heard of Jesus, cry 
unto him when she saw him ? 
8 How did Jesus act on hearing the mother's request ? 



JESUS HEALS THE DAUGHTER, ETC. 333 

onto him, saying: 3 Grant her request, or she 
will continue to cry after us. But our Lord 
answered: 4 I am not sent to any, but to the 
lost sheep of the house of Israel. But the 
mother followed him, fell at his feet, and said : 
5 Lord, help me ! He answered her with appar- 
ent hardness of heart, saying : 6 It is not meet 
to take the children's bread, and cast it to the 
dogs. She answered very considerately, saying : 
7 True, Lord : yet the dogs eat of the crumbs 
that fall from their master's table. The object 
which Jesus had in view, was now fulfilled, 8 to 
show her up, as a marked example of confidence 
in his divine power, and he said unto her : 9 
woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee, even 
as thou wilt. And her daughter was cured 
from that very hour. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. (Jrod's spirit is active among every nation, to 
awaken good intentions in the hearts of the people, 
and in every nation there are souls which find favor 
with God. 

3 What did the disciples say to Jesus ? 

* "What answer did the Lord make ? 

6 What did the mother say, when she fell at the feet of Jesus ? 

6 What answer did Jesus make ? 

7 What reply did she give unto Jesus ? 

8 What object of Jesus was now fulfilled? 

• What words of comfort did he speak unto the woman ? 



334 HEALING OF THE MAN BORN BLIND. 

2. Those who are unfortunate enough not to be 
Christians, often put the professors of Christianity 
to shame by their piety and virtue. Be therefore 
careful, never to allow yourself to be surpassed by 
the heathen in righteousness. 

3. Honor what is good in every one, it matters not 
in whom you find it, and take the same as an 
example for your conduct. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
O Lord, in ev'ry land and clime, 

Are hearts that give thee praise ; 
That through life's quickly fleeting time, 

To thee their voices raise. 
How far thy holy spirit spreads, 

What limit or what bound, 
Which thy almighty wisdom sheds, 

Through realms of thought or sound, 

No mind of man hath found. 

Luke, viii. 48. — And he said unto her: Daughter, 
be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole ; 
go in peace. 



STORY Q4. 

£(je Qeaftng of tf)e man Gorn Ofinb. 

John, IX. 

Our Lord Jesus was one day in the temple at 
Jerusalem, and the chief priests of the Jews 
disputed with him, *on account of his divine 

1 Why were the chief priests disputing with Jesus in the 
temple ? 



HEALING OF THE MAN BORN BLIND. 335 

mission. They became so embittered with him, 
" 2 tbat they took up stones to throw at him; but 
he escaped from them. Whilst he was passing 
out of the temple, s he saw an unfortunate man 
who had been born blind. 4 The poor blind man sat 
by the way-side, and begged alms of the passers- 
by. The disciples asked the Lord : 5 Master, who 
did sin, this man or his parents; that he was 
born blind? Jesus answered them: 6 Neither 
hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that 
the works of God should be made manifest in 
him. He also seized this opportunity 7 to relieve 
an afflicted creature, although it was the Sabbath 
day. 8 He wet some earth with his spittle, made 
clay, and anointed the eyes of the blind man, 
and said unto him : 9 Go, wash in the pool of 
Siloam ! 10 The blind man went, and returned 
seeing. Jesus, in thus making him assist in his 
own cure, had in view this object : H He wished 

2 How far did their anger carry them ? 

3 Whom did the Lord see as he passed out of the temple ? 

4 Why did the blind man sit by the way-side 1 
6 What did the disciples ask the Lord ? 

6 What answer did Jesus make ? 

» What opportunity did he seize, although it was the Sab 
bath ? 

8 What did he do to the blind man ? 

9 What did he then say unto him ? 

10 How did the blind man return ? 

11 What object had Jesus in thus making the blind man assist 
in his own cure ? 



336 



HEALING OF THE MAN BORN BLIND. 



to show the people that such an act of necessity 
as this, was no violation of the Sabbath. All 
the neighbors and those who had known the 
blind man, were greatly astonished, and said : 
12 Is not this he that sat there and begged ? Some 
answered : Yes, it is he ! Others replied : No, 
but he is like him ! but he himself said : 13 I am 
he. They then asked him how his eyes had 
been opened, and he told them what Jesus had 
done to give him sight. Among those who 
questioned him, there were some who kept the 
Sabbath-day with great rigor. "They therefore 
brought the man who had been born blind, be- 
fore the Pharisees. 15 He was obliged to inform 
them also what had happened, and they at once 
instituted a rigorous examination. 16 Some said 
that Jesus did not keep the Sabbath-day, and 
therefore could not be of God. 17 Others in the 
assembly contradicted this, and said : How can 
a man that is a sinner do such miracles ? and 
there was a division among them. They now 
asked the man who had been blind, his opinion 

12 What did the neighbors and those who had known the blind 
man say ? 

13 What did he himself say, when some of them doubted that 
it was he ? 

14 Before whom was he brought ? 

16 What was he obliged to tell them also ? 
18 What did some of them say o f Jesus ? 

17 What opinion did others, on the contrary, entertain T 



HEALING OF THE MAN BORN BLIND. 337 

of Christ, and thought that to please them, he 
would not give the honor to Jesus, but he un- 
hesitatingly replied : 18 I consider him to be a 
prophet. 19 They then pretended to doubt that 
he had been blind, sent for his parents, and 
asked them, "if he was their son. They 
answered : 21 Yes, he is our son and was born blind 
The Pharisees questioned them further, saying : 
How then doth he now see? The parents 
answered : We know not who hath opened his 
eyes ; ask him, he is of age, and can answer for 
himself. The assembled Pharisees again sent 
for him who had been blind, and said unto him : 
22 Give God the honor, and confess what deception 
this is ; for this man is not of God, because he 
breaketh the Sabbath. But he at once declared 
unto them, saying : 23 Why herein is a marvel- 
lous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, 
and yet he hath opened mine eyes. We know, 
he continued, that God heareth not sinners ; but 
if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth 
his will, him he heareth ; if th is man were not of 
God, he could not do what has not been heard 
of since the world began, even open the eyes of 

18 What did he, who had been blind, say of Jesus ? 
18 What did the Pharisees pretend to doubt ? 

20 What question did they put to his parents ? 

21 What answer did the parents make ? 

** What did the Pharisees again say to him who had been blind f 
* What answer did he make ? 
29 



*"*° HEALING OF THE MAN BORN BLIND. 

him that was bom blind. ^Then the chiei 
rulers of the Jews were angry, and thrust the 
poor man out of the assembly. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. God, with his own wise ends in view, often suffers 
men to bear great trouble and misery from their 
earliest childhood ; we seldom learn the object of these 
sufferings, and can never fully comprehend it. 

2. We must judge men according to their works, 
not from their outward circumstances. Our deeds 
depend upon ourselves, our destinies upon God. 

3. With pious resignation follow the path in which 
God directs you ; For it will bring you in the end to 
true salvation. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

My soul, for help on God rely, 

On him alone thy trust repose ; 
My rock and and health will strength supply, 

To bear the shock of all my foes. 
In him, ye people, always trust, 
In God, the merciful and just. 

Romans, xi. 33. 0, the depth of the riches both 
of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! How un- 
searchable are his judgments, and his ways past find- 
ing out 



84 What happened to the poor man ? 



THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. 639 

STORY 25. 

Elje transfiguration of (Cfjrist. 

Matthew, XVII. ; Mark, IX. ; Luke, IX. 

Our Lord, in one of his conversations with 
his disciples, had already declared to them, Hhat 
he had yet to endure great sufferings, before he 
could enter into the kingdom of glory. 2 Six 
days after this he revealed himself to them, 
clothed in splendor such as they had never be- 
fore witnessed. This divine transfiguration was 
necessary, 3 that they might not afterwards doubt 
his exalted dignity and purity, when they should 
see him in the deepest humiliation. 4 For this 
purpose he chose those disciples, who afterwards 
accompanied him in his struggle in Gethsemane, 
namely, Peter, James and John. 5 With these 
three, he went up into a high mountain. 
6 Whilst he was praying in solitude, the disciples 
who had gone with him fell asleep, and when 
they awoke, 7 behold, the form of the Lord had 
been transfigured during his prayer; for his 
nice did shine as the sun, and his raiment was 

1 What had the Lord already declared to his disciples in a 
conversation with them ? 

2 How did he reveal himself six days after that ? 

3 Why was this divine transfiguration necessary ? 

4 Which of his disciples did he select for this purpose ? 
6 Where did Jesus go with his three disciples ? 

6 What happened whilst Jesus was praying ? 
■ What did the disciples see, when they awoke ? 



MO THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. 

white as the light; 8 and there appeared unto 
them Moses and Elias 9 talking with him of what 
was to be accomplished at Jerusalem. This 
extraordinary vision so moved the warm-hearted 
Peter, that he cried aloud in ecstacy, saying: 
10 Lord, it is good for us to be here : If thou wilt 
let us make tabernacles : one for thee, and one 
for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet 
spake, behold, u a bright cloud overshadowed 
them : and, behold, a voice out of the cloud, 
which said : 12 This is my beloved Son, in whom 
I am well pleased ; hear ye him. As soon as 
the disciples heard the voice, 13 they threw them- 
selves upon their faces, and were afraid to look 
towards the spot whence the voice had sounded. 
But Jesus went and touched them and said : 
u Arise, and be not afraid. 15 When they lifted 
up their eyes they saw no one except Jesus. 
Moses and Elias had vanished. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 
1. "Whosoever hath faith in Christ will see him 
revealed in all his glory, not to his eye3 but to his 
heart as a divine leader and comforter. 

8 Who else appeared unto them ? 

9 What were Moses and Elias saying unto Jesus ? 

10 What did Peter cry aloud in ecstacy? 

11 What happened when Peter said this? 

12 What voice was heard from the cloud ? 

u What did the disciples do when they heard the voice ? 

14 What did Jesus say unto them ? 

v Whom did the apostles see when they lifted up their eyes ? 



JESUS REPEOVETH HIS TWO DISCIPLES. 5 A 

2. If you wish Christ to reveal himself unto you, 
think of him often with piety and truth, in the solitude 
of your chamber, and give unto him your whole heart ; 
amid the cares, pleasures and confusion of the world 
you can never find him. 

3. On earth we can never see the brightness of the 
everlasting transfiguration ; but we ought here devote 
ourselves to eternity, and we may be certain that it 
will be revealed unto us. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Lord, thy mercy, my sure hope, 

The highest orb of heaven transcends ; 
Thy sacred truth's unmeasured scope 

Beyond the spreading sky extends. 

Thy justice like the hills remains, 

Unfathomed depths thy judgments are ; 

Thy providence the world sustains, 
The whole creation is thy care. 

1 John, iii., 2. — Behold we are now the sons of 
God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : 
but we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be 
like him : for we shall see him as he is. 



STORY 2 6. 

Oesus reprouetfj t(je fieri) aeaf of Ijts two ois- 
cipfes. 

Luke, IX. 

About three years after our Lord Jesus had 
commenced openly to teach, and when the time 
29* 



342 JESUS REPEOVETH HIS TWO DISCIPLES. 

was fulfilled, 1 that he should be taken away, ^he 
prepared quietly, but resolutely to depart unto 
Jerusalem. He desired to travel through Sa- 
maria, 3 as this was the shortest road, and there- 
fore sent some of his disciples forward, that 4 they 
might procure lodging for him in a Samaritan 
village. This forethought was necessary, be- 
cause the Samaritans generally refused to enter- 
tain the Jews who were journeying to the feast 
at Jerusalem. 6 The inhabitants of that village 
really refused a lodging to our Lord, 7 because he 
was on his way there. In this they showed a 
spirit of great unkindness towards Jesus, 8 and 
his diciples regarded it as an insult to their 
divine Master. Two of them, James and even 
John, who was so mild and amiable, went so 
far in their zeal as to say unto him : 9 Lord, wilt 
thou that we command fire to come down from 
heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did. 
(2 Kings i. 10, 12.) But Jesus turned and re- 

1 After our Lord had taught openly for three years, what time 
was fulfilled ? 

2 For what place did he prepare to depart with quiet and 
determination ? 

3 Why was he desirous of travelling through Samaria ? 

4 Why did he send forward some of his disciples to a certain 
Samaritan village ? 

5 Why was this forethought necessary? 

3 What did the inhabitants of that village do ? 
; Why did they refuse ? 

As what did the disciples regard this unkindess ? 

What did John and James therefore say in their zeal ? 



/ESUS REPROVETH HIS TWO DISCIPLES. 343 

tm&ed them, saying : 10 Ye know not what man- 
ner of spirit ye are of, and that nothing but 
mildness and love should dwell in your hearts. 
For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's 
lives, but to save them. n He thereupon took 
another road, without showing the least anger. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. You must despise no one on account of his re- 
ligion, or deny him courtesy or shelter ; for you have 
to thank God alone for being a Christian, as he has 
created you of Christian parents. 

2. If you are treated with unkindness by any one, out 
of hatred or envy, you cannot help, it is true, feel- 
ing hurt ; but you should never on that account per- 
mit yourself, like the two disciples, James and John, 
to entertain angry and revengeful intentions. 

3. Men have often persecuted and killed each other 
on account of their different religions. This is en- 
tirely at variance with the spirit of our holy faith ; 
for Christ has distinctly said: I have not come to de- 
stroy men's lives, but to save them. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
soul be holy and be pure, 

Keep constant watch and ward! 
Learn to forgive and long endure, 

Even as doth the Lord! 
Not vengeance, but kind blessing call, 
On friend and foe alike to fall. 

10 What did Jesus say, rebuking them ? 

11 What did Jesus now do without showing the least anger ? 



344 THE GOOD SAMAEITAN. 

Ephesians, iv., 1, 2. I therefore, prisoner of tne 
Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation 
wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meek- 
ness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in 
love. 



STORY 27. 

3f)e ijoob Samaritan. 

Luke, X. 

One day, there came a lawyer to Jesus, and 
said : faster, what shall I do to inherit eternal 
life. 2 This is indeed the most important question 
a man can propose, and one which every man 
should carefully consider. Jesus answered him, 
saying, 3 What is written in the law? How 
readest thou ? And the lawyer said : 4 Thou 
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 
and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, 
and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as 
thyself. 5 Thou hast answered correctly, said 
Jesus; do this and thou shalt live. But he, 
wishing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, pre- 
tending that the meaning of word of the law 
was not clear enough : "Who then is my neigh- 

1 What did the lawyer say unto Jesus? 

2 What is said of this question, which the lawyer proposed? 

3 What answer did Jesus make to the lawyer ? 

4 What did he reply ? 

6 What did Jesus now say ? 

6 What other question did the lawyer propose ? 



Page 345. 



Story 27. 




The Good Samaritan. 



346 THE GOOD SAMAEITAN. 

bor ; merely my friends, or every man, without 
exception ? Jesus answered him in the follow- 
ing story : A certain man went down from 
Jerusalem to Jericho, 7 and fell among thieves, 
which stripped him of his raiment, wounded him 
and departed, leaving him half dead. And by 
chance there came down a certain priest that 
way, and when he saw him, 8 he passed by on 
the other side. And likewise 9 a Levite, when 
he was at the place, came and looked on him 
and passed by on the other side. But a certain 
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, 
!0 and when he saw him he had compassion on 
him, went to him and bound up his wounds, 
pouring in oil and wine, then set him on his 
own beast, and brought him to an inn and took 
care of him. On the morrow, when he departed, 
u he took out two pence and gave them to the 
host, and said unto him : 12 Take care of him ; 
and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I 
come again I will repay thee. When Jesus had 
concluded the story, he said unto the lawyer: 

7 What was the fate of the man, who went down from 
Jerusalem to Jericho ? 

8 What did the priest do, who went down that way ? 

9 Who did likewise? 

10 How did the travelling Samaritan act towards the unfortu- 
nate man ? 

11 What did he do, when he was about to depart on the follow, 
ing day ? 

,2 What did he say to the host ? 



THE GOOD SAMARITAN". 347 

13 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was 
neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves ? 
He answered : u He that showed mercy on him. 
Then Jesus said unto him : 15 Go, and do thou 
likewise ! 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whoever requires your assistance is your neigh 
bor, and you must not ask if he is of the same people 
and religion as yourself, or whether he is your friend 
or your enemy. 

2. If the assistance which you owe to your neigh- 
bor is accompanied by danger ; you must brave all 
risk and think only on your duty. 

3. True love for our neighbor accomplishes every 
thing within its power. The good Samaritan acted in 
this way towards the unfortunate man. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Are we not brothers all, O Lord ? 
And members of thy holy word, 

Who live in Christ on high ; 
Who e'er despise the lowly poor, 
That beg their way from door to door, 

Must thy command defy. 

Job, vi. 14. To him that is afflicted pity should be 
showed from his friend ; but he forsaketh the fear of 
the Almighty. 

13 What did Jesus say unto the lawyer, when he had concluded 
his story ? 
u What answer did the lawyer make T 
15 What did Jesus then say ? * 



348 MARTHA AND MIRY. 

STORY 38. 

JRartlja an& jttart). 

Luke, X. 
We have thus far reviewed the history of our 
Lord in his journeying from place to place, 
teaching the people, and doing good. *We shall 
now have an opportunity of seeing him in his pri- 
vate intercourse with his friends, 2 and there also 
learn much of the beauty of his character .and 
the good he everywhere effected. Among those 
who honored and loved him with their whole 
hearts, there were many, who, although not 
accompanying him from place to place, often 
had the good fortune 3 of entertaining him in 
their houses, and of providing for his wants. 
Among others 4 this happiness was enjoyed by a 
small family at Bethany, a place not far from 
Jerusalem. 5 This family consisted of a brother 
and two sisters. G The brother's name was 
Lazarus, and it was he whom Jesus afterwards 
raised from the dead; 7 the two sisters were 

1 What opportunity shall we now have ? 

2 What can we also learn of him in these relations ? 

3 What good fortune did many, who loved and honored Jesus 
with their whole hearts possess ? 

4 Where did the small family live, who among others, enjoyed 
this happiness ? 

s Of whom did this family consist? 

6 What was the brother's name ? 

1 What were the uames of tie two sisters? 



Story 28. 



Page 349. 




Martha and Mary 
30 



850 MARTHA AND MARY. 

called, Martha, who was probably a widow, and 
Mary. 8 It came to pass that J(«us was once 
staying at the house of Martha, 9 who not only 
received him with friendliness, but did all in 
her power as hostess, to entertain him, and 
,0 busied herself to provide for his wants. But 
her sister was very differently occupied ; she sat 
"quiet and thoughtful at the feet of Jesus and 
listened to his words. In the mean time Martha 
came in and tried to make her sister understand, 
12 that it was proper for her to assist in the pre- 
paration which she was making for our Lord. 
13 But Mary heeded not, and still continued at- 
tentive to the word of Jesus. Martha could be 
silent no longer, and went up to Jesus, who had 
no doubt observed her anxiety, and said : u Lord, 
dost thou not care that my sister hath left me 
to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help 
me. Je»us answered and said unto her : 15 Mar- 
tha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about 
many things : But one thing is needful : and 
Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall 
not be taken away- from her. 

8 At whose house was Jesus staying ? 

9 How was Jesus received by Martha ? 

10 With what was Martha busied ? 

11 How was her sister engaged ? 

18 What did Martha try to make her sister understand t 

13 What notice did Mary take of this ? 

14 What did Martha now say unto Jesus? 

15 What auswer did the Lord make 



MARTHA AND MART. 351 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Hospitality, enacted in kindliness of spirit, is a 
beautiful virtue. Take pattern by Martha, who re- 
ceived Jesus with friendliness and tried to entertain 
him with honor ? 

2. A pious observance of divine instruction is 
also a great virtue. Learn this from Mary, who heeded 
not her sister, but remained attentive at the feet of 
Jesus. 

3. A pious observance of divine instruction is how- 
ever of greater importance than hospitality. This 
we learn from Jesus when he said : But one thing is 
needful : Mary hath chosen that good part. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

O, happy is the man who hears, 
Our Saviour's warning voice ; 

And who, celestial wisdom makes 
His early, only choice. 

For as her holy labors rise, 

So her rewards increase, 
Her ways are ways of pleasentness, 

And all her paths are peace. 

Romans, xiv., 17, 18. — For the kingdom of God 
is not meat and drink ; but righteousness, and peace, 
and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these 
things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and ap- 
proved of men. 



352 THE RICH MAN. 

STORY 29. 

£()e ricO man, roOo roas subbeiifg tafieu atoag. 

Luke, XII. 

A certain man who had heard of the elo- 
quence of Jesus, wanted him to expostulate 
with his brother, and said unto him : faster, 
speak to my brother, that he divide the inheri- 
tance with me. But the Jews had appointed 
judges to decide such matters, 2 and as our Lord 
never interfered with worldly affairs, 3 but per- 
formed only those things for which he had been 
commissioned by God, he said unto him : 4 Man, 
who made me a judge or divider over you ? This 
man's request gave- him an opportunity of 
showing the true duties of his mission. He 
knew, 5 that it was selfishness, which prevented 
the brothers from amicably dividing the pater- 
nal inheritance, and therefore said unto them, 
and unto all the people which were assembled : 
6 Take heed, and beware of covetousness : for a 
man's life consisteth not in the abundance of 
the things which he possesseth. To this instruc- 
tion, our Lord added the following parable : 

1 What did a certain man, who had heard of the eloquence of 
Jesus, say unto him ? 
4 In what matters did Jesus never interfere ? 

3 What did he alone perform ? 

4 What answer did he give the man ? 

' What did Jesus know about the two brothers ? 

6 What did our Lord now say \ : the assembled people ? 



THE RICH MAN. 



353 



7 The ground of a certain rich man brought forth 
plentifully : and he thought within himself, say- 
ing: 8 What shall I do, because I have no room 
where to bestow my fruits ? and he said : This 
will I do, 9 I will pull down my barns and build 
greater ; and there will I bestow all my fruits 
and my goods. And I will say^unto my soul : 
10 Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many 
years ; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. 
But God said unto him : n Thou fool ! This 
night thy soul shall be required of thee : then 
whose shall those things be, which thou hast 
provided ? 12 So is he that layeth up treasure for 
himself, and is not rich towards God. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Postpone nothing that is good until to-morrow; 
for you know not but that your soul may be required 
of you this very night. 

2. Men rely on wealth as on their dearest friend ; 
but it does not fulfil their expectations even in this 
life, and after death it is of no use whatever to them. 

3. In respect to earthly things, man goes out of the 
world just as poor as he came into it ; but if he be 
rich in God, he hath everlasting treasure. 

7 How does Jesus begin the parable ? 

8 What did the rich man say, whose field had brought forth 
plentifully ? 

9 What did he scy that he would do ? 

10 What did he intend saying to his soul? 

11 But what did God say unto him ? 

12 With what instructive words, did the Lord conclude the 
comparison ? ^ 



354 THE PRODIGAL SON. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Here rest, my oft divided heart, 

Fix'd on thy God, thy Saviour, rest; 
Who with the world would grieve to part, 

When called on angel's food to feast? 
High heaven, that hears the solemn vow, 
Will bless in death the bond as now. 

John, ii., 17. — And the world passeth away, and the 
lust thereof, but he that doth the will of God abideth 
forever. 



STORY 30. 

Zfye pro btgaf son. 

Luke, XV. 
^esus never rejected any one who showed a 
disposition to reform, 2 and therefore there came 
to him many publicans and sinners, to hear him 
preach. 3 This appeared very scandalous to the 
presumptuous Pharisees and Scribes, and they 
murmured, saying: 4 This man, who would be 
regarded as a prophet amongst us, receiveth 
sinners and even eateth with them. Hereupon, 
our Lord proved to them by the following par- 
able, 5 that in this he did right, and that God 

1 How did Jesus act towards repenting sinners ? 

2 What kind of people came therefore unto the Lord ? 

3 To whom did it appear scandalous that Jesus should 
associate with publicans and sinners ? 

4 What did the Pharisees and Scribes say about it? 

1 What did Jesus prove by the parable of the prodigal son T 



Pasre 355. 




The Prodigal Son. 



S56 THE PRODIGAL SON. 

was merciful to every repenting sinner: A cer- 
tain man had two sons. The younger of them 
said unto his father : 6 Father give me the portion 
of goods that falleth to me. And he divided his 
property between them. Not long after, the 
younger son gathered all his goods together, and 
went into a distant country, 7 and there wasted 
his substance with riotous living. And when he 
had spent all, 8 there arose a mighty famine in 
that land, and he began to be in want. Then 
he went and joined himself to a citizen of that 
country, and offered himself to perform the 
most menial occupation ; 9 and the man sent him 
into his field to feed swine. Even here, he suf- 
fered great want, 10 and would fain have satisfied 
his hunger with the husks that the swine did 
eat; and no man gave unto him. At length he 
came to himself, and said ; n How many hired 
servants of my father have bread enough and to 
spare, and I perish with hunger ! But I will 
arise and go to my father, and will say unto him : 
12 Father, I have sinned against heaven and be- 

6 What did the younger son say unto his father ? 

7 How did he get rid of his substance ? 

3 What happened when he had spent all ? 

9 To what occupation did the citizen put thf> prodigal son, who 
applied to enter into his service ? 

10 Wherewith would he have gladly satisfied his hunger? 

11 What did he say, when he was suffering with the greatest 
want? 

12 How did he determine to show hia npentance unto his 
father? 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 357 

fore thee, and am no more worthy to be called 
thy son : make me as one of thy hired servants. 
So he arose and came unto his father. But 
when he was yet a great way off, his father saw 
him and had compassion on him, 13 and ran, and 
fell on his neck and kissed him. But the son 
said, with tears : 14 Father, I have sinned against 
heaven and in thy sight, and am no more 
worthy to be called thy son. The father was 
moved, and spake joyfully to his servants. 
15 Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him ; 
and put a ring on his hand and shoes upon his 
feet. 16 Bring also the fatted calf and kill it, and 
let us eat and be merry ; 17 for this my son was 
dead and is alive again ; he was lost and is found. 
Now when they began to be merry, his elder son 
who had been in the field, came and drew nigh 
to the house, 18 and heard music and dancing. 
Then he called one of the servants and asked 
him, 19 what these things meant, and he said unto 
him : 20 Thy brother is come, and thy father 
hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath re- 

13 How did Ms father receive him, when he saw him, and pitied 
him? 

14 "What did the son say unto his father ? 

15 What did the delighted father say unto his servants ? 

16 What else did he order them to do ? 

" Why did the father want them all to be merry with him ? 

18 What did the elder son hear, when he returned from his field 

19 What did he ask one of the servants ? 
80 What answer did he receive ? 



358 THE PRODIGAL SON. 

ceived him safe and sound. 21 The elder son was 
angry at this, and would not go in ; therefore 
his father came out and entreated him to come 
in. But the son answered his father, saying: 
92 Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither 
transgressed I at any time thy commandment : 
and yet thou never gavest me a kid that I might 
make merry with my friends. But as soon as 
this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy 
living, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 
Hereupon, the father answered him, saying : 
23 My son, thou art ever with me, and all that 
I have is thine. It was meet that we should 
make merry and be glad ; for this thy brother 
was dead and is alive again ; and was lost, and is 
found. 

USEFUL LESSONS. • 

1. Sin leadeth men to inevitable destruction. 

2. Whosoever has been betrayed into the misery 
of sin, should endeavor to free himself without delay. 

3. Whosoever is earnest in repentance, is sure to 
be again accepted by divine grace. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Saviour, source of every blessing, 

Tune my heart to grateful lays, 
Streams of mercy never ceasing 

Call for ceaseless songs of praise. 

81 How did he receive the news of his brother's reception ? 
38 What did he say when his father entreated him to go into 
the house ? 
v What answer did the father make? 



THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. 359 

Thou didst seek me when a stranger, 
Wand'ring from the fold of God ; 

Thou to save my soul from danger, 
Didst redeem me with thy blood. 

John, vi., 37. — And him that cometh to me, I will m 
no wise cast out. 



STORY 31. 

Z$t rtcfj man an& £a<$anis, t(je 6eooar. 

Luke, XVI. 
Mesus once described the world to come, m 
a most beautiful parable, as a. land of just 
awards and punishments. He said : 2 There was 
a certain rich man who clothed himself in pur- 
ple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously and 
joyfully every day. At the same time there 
was a certain beggar named Lazarus 3 who lay< 
before the rich man's gate, full of sores, wish- 
ing to satisfy his hunger, even with the crumbs 
which fell from the rich man's table ; moreover 
the dogs came and licked his sores ; 4 but the 
rich man took no notice of the beggar. And it 
came to pass that the poor man died, 5 and was 

1 What does Jesus describe in the beautiful parable of the 
vich man and Lazarus the beggar? 

2 How did the rich man employ his wealth ? 

3 What was the condition of the poor man, Lazarus ? 
* How did the rich man act towards Lazarus ? 

5 What happened to the beggar when he died ? 



360 THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. 

carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom • 
the rich man also died, and was buried. 6 Now 
when he was tormented in hell, he lifted up his 
eyes and saw 7 Abraham afar off and Lazarus 
in his bosom. Then he cried out and said: 
8 Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send 
Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in 
water, and cool my tongue ; for I am tormented 
in this name : But Abraham said : 9 Son, remem- 
ber that thou, in thy lifetime, hast received thy 
good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things : 
but now he is comforted, and thou art tormen- 
ted. 10 And besides this, between us and you 
there is a great gulf fixed : so that they which 
would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither 
can they pass to us who would come from thence. 
Then he said : I pray thee therefore father 
Abraham, that thou wilt send him to my father's 
house ; u for I have five brethren, that he may 
testify unto them least they also come into this 
place of torment. Abraham said unto him : 
12 They have Moses and the prophets; let them 

6 Wbat was the fate of the rich man ? 

7 Whom did he see when he raised his eyes ? 

8 "What did he cry unto Abraham ? 

9 What answer did Abraham make? 

10 What other reason did Abraham give, why Lazarus could 
not go to him ? 

11 Why did the rich man entreat Abraham to send Lazarus 
into his father's house ? 

11 What did Abraham answer ? 



THE KICH MAN AND LAZARUS. 3G1 

hear thera. But the man answered saying : 
13 Nay, father Abraham : but if one went unto 
them from the dead, they will repent. Abraham 
again said : u If they hear not Moses and the 
prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though 
one rose from the dead. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. That which is so greatly coveted on earth and 
held in such high esteem, namely riches and rank, is 
of no avail in an eternal future ; there, all depends 
on righteousness and virtue. 

2. A rich man need only fear cordemnation when 
he makes a bad use of his wealth, particularly if he 
dovotes it either to luxury or avarice ; and again, 
the poor man need only expect salvation for the 
future, when he has walked in the ways of right- 
eousness, and the fear of God, in this life. 

3. You have learned the divine means of grace, 
use it for the salvation, of your soul. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Lord of life, all praise excelling, 

Thou, in glory unconfmed, 
Deignst to make thy humble dwelling 

With the poor of humble mind. 

When the harvest yields thee pleasure, 
Thou the Golden sheaf shalt bind : 

To the poor belongs the treasure 
Of the scattered ears behind, 

11 "What did the rich man say to Abraham's reply? 
M How did Abraham conclude ? 
31 



362 THE GRATEFUL SAMARITAN 

2 Thessalonians, i., 7, 8. — And to you who are tro'i 
Vied, rest with us ; when the Lord Jesus shall be re 
vealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flam- 
ing fire, taking vengeance on them that know not 
God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesua 
Christ 



STORY 3 2. 

COe grateful Samaritan. 

Luke, XVII. 

a Our Lord Jesus, performed his miraculous 
cures for the most part on the boundaries of his 
native country. But it sometimes came to pass, 
that he travelled through neighboring heathen 
countries, and was often entreated to cure and 
assist the people, 2 because he was universally 
known as a prophet, powerful in word and 
deed both before God and man. 3 The miracles 
which he performed in strange places were, com- 
monly, more gratefully remembered than those 
which he did among his own people. A circum- 
stance of this nature happened once when he 
was travelling to Jerusalem and had taken the 
road through Samaria. As he entered into a 
certain village there met him ten men, who were 

1 Where did Jesus, for the most part, perform his miracles ? 

2 "Why was the Lord entreated to cure the people of the 
neighboring countries ? 

8 How were miracles, which he performed in strange places, 
received ? 



THE GRATEFUL SAMARITAN. 36 5 

lepers, who stood afar off, 4 for they dared nc fc 
approach a healthy person on account of th e 
contagious nature of their disease. They had 
met at different places and had joined compary 
and travelled together, 5 that they might, as com- 
panions in misfortune, assist and comfort ea')h 
other. As soon as they saw Jesus they raised 
their voices, and said : 6 Jesus, Master, ha 7e 
mercy on us. They thought that he would at 
once assist them, as he had already cured so 
many ; but he merely said unto them : 7 Go, 
show yourselves unto the priests, and continued 
on his journey. This was a severe test of 
their faith ; 8 for they were thus compelled to 
go unto the priests, covered as they were 
with leprosy, that he might decide, as was com- 
manded by the law, whether they were cleansed 
or not. Nevertheless they did so, 9 and as they 
went they were cleansed. After they had 
shown themselves to the priests, nine of them 
returned unto their houses without thinking 
more of their benefactor. 10 But one of them n a 

4 Why did the ten lepers stand afar off? 

5 Why had they joined company and travelled together? 

6 What did they say when they saw Jesus ? 

7 How did Jesus answer them ? 

8 Why was Jesus's answer a severe test of their faith ? 

9 What happened when the lepers followed the advice of 
Jesus ? 

w How did one of the ten show his gratitude to Jesus ? 
11 Who was the grateful man ? 



364 THE GRATEFUL SAMARITAN. 

Samaritan turned back and with a loud voice 
glorified God, and fell down on his face at the 
feet of Jesus, and gave him thanks. Jesus now 
turned to the bystanders, saying: 12 Were there 
not ten cleansed ? but where are the nine ? 
There was not one found, save this stranger that 
returned to give glory to God. But to the Sa- 
maritan he spake these words : 13 Arise, go thy 
way : thy faith hath made thee whole. 
USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Never be like the nine men ; for whosoever is 
wanting in gratitude to his benefactor, is justly re- 
garded by the world, as a shameful character. 

2. Try with all your heart to resemble the pious 
Samaritan, and when good fortune has befallen you, 
glorify God and give thanks to him, through whom 
God has shown mercy unto you. 

3. Try above all to resemble Christ, that by the 
ingratitude of others, you may not become hardened 
and embittered against doing whatever good lies in 
your power. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

If men, O Lord, would try like thee, 
Their brethern to restore and love, 
And live in truth and charity, 

As angel hosts that dwell above ; 
Then might thy bright millennium come- - 
Then might we reach our Father's home ? 
Psalms, c, 4. — Be thankful unto him and bless hia 
name. 

12 "What did Jesus now say to the bystanders ? 

13 What did he say to the grateful Samaritan ? 



JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN. 365 

STORY 33. 

Oesus Ofesses ftttfe cOtf&rcn. 

Matthew, XIX.; Mark, X.; Luke, XVIII. 

l Our Lord came into the world not only to 
save men and women, but also little children, 
2 whom he dearly loved. This is shown by the 
following circumstance. 3 Many pious Jews, 
teachers and priests, were in the habit of asking 
blessings for their children. As the people knew 
4 Jesus to be a teacher who had come from God, 
it came to pass that some pious mothers brought 
their children, 5 that Jesus might bless them, and 
lay his hands upon their head and pray for them. 
Now as it was evening and Jesus had spent the 
whole day teaching, and healing the sick, 6 his 
disciples thought he needed rest, 7 and therefore 
rebuked those who had brought the children. 
By this, the parents might have supposed 8 that 
their request was improper, or that Jesus, who 
was love itself, did not feel kindly disposed to- 
wards the cnildren. But when Jesus saw the 

1 For whose salvation did theKedeemer come into the world? 

2 What feeling did he entertain for the children ? 

3 What custom was prevalent among the Jews ? 

4 What did the people know Jesus to be ? 

5 Why did the pious mothers bring their children unto Jesus ? 

6 What did the disciples think that Jesus needed, as he had 
been busied all day teaching and doing good? 

» Whom did they therefore rebuke ? 

8 What conclusion might the parents have drawn from this \ 
31* 



Page 366. 



Story 33. 




Jesus blesses little children. 



JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN". 367 

conduct of the disciples he was much displeased, 
and said unto them: 9 Suffer little children to 
come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such 
is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you : 
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of 
God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 
10 Hereupon he took the children up in his arms, 
laid his hands upon them and blessed .them. 
USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Here we have an instance of parents bringing 
their children to our Lord Jesus. Your parents also 
bring you to Jesus, when they send you to school and 
to church ; for there you find the servants of our Lord, 
who receive you in his name. 

2. Even as a child, you belong to the kingdom of 
God. Think therefore of your Creator and Saviour 
in your youth, that you may at an* early age find sal- 
vation. 

3. Upon many even in their youth, has the hand 
been laid in the name of Jesus, and they have been 
blessed. Many, indeed, have not benefited by this 
blessing, for they have failed to keep themselves pure 
in the sight of our Lord. A blessing can never 
benefit those who afterwards reject it. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Young children once to Jesus came, 

His blessing to entreat ; 
And may I humbly do the same 

Before his mercy seat. 

9 What did Jesus say to his apostles? 

10 How did he show his love even for little children ? 



36$ ZACCHEUS IN THE SYCAMOEE TEEE. 

For when their feeble hands were spread, 

And bent each infant knee, 
" Forbid them not," the Saviour said, 

And so he says of me. 

Matthew, xviii., 14. — Even so it is not the will of 
your Father, which is in heaven, that one of these 
little ones should perish. 



STORY 34. 

-3accljeus fn tfje sgcamore tree. 

Luke, XIX. 

On his last journey to Jerusalem, where he 
went to partake of the feast of the passover, 
our Lord went through Jericho. There was a 
man there named Zaccheus, x who was very rich, 
and chief amongst the publicans. 2 He was de- 
sirous of seeing what kind of a man Jesus was, 
but could not reach him on account of the press 
of people, and because he was of small stature. 
3 Therefore he ran ahead and climbed up into a 
sycamore tree to see him. Now when Jesus 
came to that place, he looked up and saw him> 
and said : 4 Zaccheus make haste, and come down ; 
for to-day I must abide a,t thy house. He made 

1 Who was Zaccheus ? 

2 Of what was he desirous ? 

* What did Zaccheus do because he was of small statnre? 
4 What did the Lord say when he saw him ? 



Page 369. 



Story 34. 




Zaccheus in the Sycamore tree. 



370 ZACCHEUS IN THE SYCAMOEE TREE. 

haste, came down from the tree, and deceived 
him joyfully. When the people saw this, they 
murmured, saying, 6 that he was gone to be the 
guest of a man who was a sinner. Zaccheus, 
who was highly pleased with the condescension 
of our Lord, came to him, and said : 7 Behold 
Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor : 
and if I have taken anything from any man by 
false accusation, I restore him four-fold. Then 
Jesus said unto those who had murmured : 8 This 
day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch 
as he also is the son of Abraham. 9 For the Son 
Df Man is come to seek and to save that which 
was lost. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Zaccheus ran ahead and climbed the sycamore 
tree merely to obtain a sight of Jesus. Learn also, 
to know Jesus and to seek for him. 

2. Whosoever wishes to become a true disciple of 
Jesus, should heartily repent of the sins he has com- 
mitted, and do all that lies in his power to atone for 
them. 

3. True salvation does not consist in wealth, but in 
having Jesus always in our hearts. 

5 How did Zaccheus receive the Lord ? 

6 "Why did the people murmur? 

7 What did Zaccheus say, pleased at '.he condescension of 
our Lord ? 

8 What did Jesus say unto those who nad murmured ? 
Wherefore did Jesus say the Son of Man was come ? 



LAZARUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD. 371 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
To our Redeemer's glorious name 

Awake the sacred song : 
0, may his love, immortal flame, 

Tune ev'ry heart and tongue. 

His love, what mortal thought can reach ; 

What mortal tongue display ! 
Imagination's utmost stretch 

In wonder dies away. 

1 Timothy. This is a faithful saying, and worthy 
of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the 
world to save sinners. 



STORY 3 5. 

£a5ctrus ratseb from tQe beab. 

John, XI. 

The resurrection of Lazarus is one of the 
most remarkable occurrences recorded in the 
New Testament. It tended in a great measure 
l to increase the hatred, borne by the rulers of 
the Jewish people towards our Lord, and set 
their malignity actively to work to bring him 
eventually to the shameful death on the cross. 
Had Lazarus not been raised from the dead, 
2 Christ would probably have remained longer 

1 To what did the resurrection of Lazarus tend in a great 
measure? 

2 What would probably have happened, had Lazarus not been 
raised from the dead ? 



Paire 372. 



Story 35 




Lazarus raised from the dead. 



LAZAKUS RAISED FEOM THE DEAD. 378 

on the earth ; but according to God's command 
Lazarus was raised, 3 that Christ might suffer, and 
be translated to the glory of his Father's king- 
dom. 

4 In Bethany, the town where Mary and 
Martha lived, Lazarus their brother was lying 
sick. The Lord Jesus knew this family, and 
loved the brother and the two sisters. There- 
fore they sent unto him, saying : 5 Lord, behold, 
he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus 
heard this, he answered : 6 This sickness is not 
unto death, but for the glory of God, that the 
Son of God might be glorified thereby. 7 But he 
remained where he was, on the other side of the 
Jordan, two days after he heard of the sickness 
of Lazarus; then he arose and went unto Beth- 
any. 8 But in the mean time Lazarus had died 
Jesus knew it, and therefore said to his disciples : 
°Our friend Lazarus sleepeth ; but I go, that I 
may awake him out of sleep. The disciples 



3 "Wherefore was he to be raised according to the command 
of God ? 

4 Where was Lazarus lying sick ? 

5 "What message did the sisters of the sick man send to the 
Lord ? 

6 What answer did Jesus make ? 

How long did he remain where he was, after he had heard 
of the sickness of Lazarus ? 

s What ha.d happened to Lazarus in the mean time ? 

5 What did Jesus, who knew that Lazarus was dead, say to 
his disciples ? 



874 LAZARUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD. 

thought he was speaking of natural sleep, and 
answered : Lord if he sleep, he shall do well. 
Then Jes^s said unto them plainly: "Lazarus 
is dead : And I am glad for your sakes that I 
was not there, that your belief may be strength- 
ened ; nevertheless let us go to him. Thomas, 
one of the twelve, 12 understood this to mean 
that the Lord was about to die, and with self- 
sacrificing faith he said unto his fellow disciples : 
13 Let us also go that we may die with him. 
When Jesus came unto Bethany, he found that 
14 Lazarus had lain in the grave four days, 
and many of the Jews came to Martha and 
Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. 
As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, 
she went out to meet him ; but Mary sat still 
in the house. When Martha met Jesus, she 
said unto him : 16 Lord if thou hadst been here, 
my brother had not died. But I know that 
even now, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, 
God will give it thee. Jesus answering, said 

10 What did the disciples say, thinking that he vis speaking 
of natural sleep ? 

11 What did our Lord tell them plainly? 

12 What did Thomas understand by the words: Let us go 
to Lazarus ? 

13 What did he, therefore, say to the other disciples ? 

14 How long had Lazarus lain in the grave, when Jesus came 
to Bethany ? 

,6 What did Martha say unto Jesus 



LAZAEUS EAISED FEOM THE DEAD. 375 

unto her: 16 Thy brother shall rise again. She 
answered: 17 I know that he shall rise again 
in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus 
replied : 18 I am the resurrection and the life : 
he that believeth in ine, though he were dead, 
yet shall he live : and whosoever liveth and 
believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou 
this ? Martha answered : 19 Yea, Lord, I believe 
that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which 
should come into the world. When she had 
said this, she went and called Mary, her sister, 
secretly, that the Jews might not hear her, and 
said, the Master is come, and calleth for thee. As 
soon as she heard this, she arose quickly and 
went unto Jesus, who was still outside of the 
town of Bethany, in the same place were Mar- 
tha had met him. The Jews who were in the 
house comforting her, followed her, and said: 
She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then, 
when Mary was come unto Jesus 20 she fell down 
at his feet, and said : Lord, if thou hadst been 
here, my brother had not died. Now when 
Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews which had 
come with her also in tears, he was deeply 



16 What answer did Jesus make? 
14 What reply did she make ? 

13 How did Jesus endeavor to strengthen Martha's faith in 
him? 
10 What confident answer did she make ? 
86 What did Mary do, when she was come unto Jesus t 



376 LAZARUS EAISED FROM THE DEAD. 

moved, and said : 21 Where have ye laid him ? 
They answered : Lord, come and see. 22 Jesus 
wept. Then said the Jews, behold how he 
loved him ! But some of them said : Could not 
this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, 
have caused that even this man should not have 
died ? Jesus, again sorely grieved, went to the 
grave, which was a vault, upon which a stone 
had been laid, and he commanded them to 
take it away. Martha spake unto him, say- 
ing : ^Lord the body is already decaying, for 
he hath lain nearly four days in the grave. 
But Jesus answered : 24 Said I not unto thee, 
that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see 
the glory of God. Then they took away the 
stone from the place where the dead was laid, 
and Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said : 25 Father, 
I thank thee that thou hast heard me, but I 
know that thou hearest me always; but be- 
cause of the people which stand by, I said it, 
that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 
After Jesus had thus spoken, he cried with a 

21 What did Jesus say, when he was moved by the tears of 
Mary ? 

22 How did the Lord show his grief? 

23 What did Martha say, when Jesus ordered them to remove 
the stone from the mouth of the vault ? 

24 What did Jesus answer ? 

25 What prayer of thanks did Jesus offer, when they had taken 
the stone away ? 



LAZARUS EAISED FEOM THE DEAD. 377 

loud voice : 26 Lazarus come forth ! 27 And he 
that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot 
with grave clothes, and his face bound with a 
napkin. Jesus said unto them : 2s Loose him, and 
let him go! This was done and he went unto 
his house, accompanied by all that had seen the 
miracle. 

29 Then many of the Jews which came to 
Mary and had seen the resurrection, believed in 
the Lord Jesus ; but some of them went their 
ways to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus 
had done. Prom that day forth, the high priests 
and Pharisees took council together 30 how they 
might put him to death ; and when they heard 
that every one was desirous of seeing Lazarus, 
they determined also 31 to put him to death. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 
1. If the members of a family "wish to obtain the 
love of our Lord, they must love one another. What 
a holy bond of unity and love existed between Laz- 
arus, Mary and Martha. It was for this reason that 
Jesus loved them. 

26 What did he cry with a loud voice, after he had thus spoken ? 
i7 What happened at the voice of the Lord ? 
23 What did the Lord now say? 

29 What impression did the resurrection oi Laearus make 
upon the Jews? 

30 Wherefore did the high priests and Pharisees take counsel 
together ? 

81 What other determination did they come t >, when they 
heard that every one was desirous of seeing Lazarus ? 
32* 



378 JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY. 

2. Regard the death of the righteous as a quiet 
sleep, from which they will soou awake to eternal 
life. 

3. Even at the grave, the Son of God will one day- 
call : Come forth. Then if you have lived a righteous 
life, you will arise to salvation and eternal joy. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Great God, what do I see and hear? 

The end of things created : 
The judge of men I see appear, 

On clouds of glory seated. 
The trumpet sounds, the graves restore 
The dead which they contained before ; 

Prepare my soul to meet him. 

John, v., 25, — Verily, verily, I say unto you : The 
nour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall 
hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that hear 
shall live. 



STOEY 3 6. 

Desus is Qiiotnteb at ^efljant). 

Matthew, XXVI. ; Mark, XIV. ; John, XII. 

The high priests and Pharisees, embittered 
against Jesus, on account of the resurrection 
of Lazarus, had issued a command, x that every 
one, who knew where Jesus was, should inform 
against him, that they might take him prisoner. 

1 "What command had the high priests and Pharisees issued 
against Jesus ? 



JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY B79 

It therefore became dangerous 2 to harbor him 
and still more to honor him as the Messiah. 
But the friends of our Lord set at nought this 
danger, 3 and gave him besides, every proof of 
their veneration and devotion. This was also the 
conduct of the pious family at Bethany, to 
which we have already alluded. 

4 Six days before the passover, Jesus came again 
unto Bethany, the residence of Lazarus, whom he 
had raised from the dead. 5 They prepared a 
feast for him at the house of Simon, to do him 
honor, at which meal Martha waited on the 
guests. His grateful pupil, Mary, who had 
been so zealous in profiting by his instruction, 
probably felt, on this occasion, a presentiment 
6 that she would not see her beloved friend and 
Master again, and therefore wished to show him 
the greatest possible veneration and affection. 
It was a custom of those times to anoint those 
who were specially honored, 7 Mary, therefore, 
took an alabaster box of very precious ointment, 
and not only poured it upon the head of Jesus, 

2 What became dangerous for the friends of Jesus ? 

3 How did they set this danger at naught? 

4 How loDg before the passover was it, when Jesus came 
again unto Bethany ? 

5 How did the pious family show him honor ? 

6 "What presentiment did Mary prol ably feel on thia 
occasion ? 

7 What did she do in honor of the Lord ? 



380 JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY. 

but even anointed his feet therewith, and dried 
them with her hair; and the whole house was 
filled with the odor of the ointment. 8 Such a 
mark of her devotion must have pleased every- 
one who knew her grateful disposition. But one 
of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, who afterwards 
betrayed him, 9 looked upon this as a great piece 
of extravagance, and said : 10 Why was not this 
precious ointment sold for three hundred pence 
(about thirty-eight dollars) and the money given 
to the poor? The other disciples agreed with 
him ; "but Judas said this, not that he cared 
for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had 
charge of the money which the friends of Jesus 
contributed for his support. Jesus did not put 
his disciples to shame, but excused Mary, and 
said : 12 Let her alone ; why trouble ye her ? She 
hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have 
the poor with you always, and whensoever ye 
will, ye may do them good : but me ye have not 
always. 13 For in that she hath poured this oint- 
ment on my body, she did it for my burial. 
Verily I say unto you : Wheresoever this gos- 

8 What effect should such a mark cf devotion have produced 
apon the minds of all present ? 

9 How did Judas regard this action ? 

10 What did he therefore say ? 

11 Why did he say this ? 

u How did Jesus defend the grateful Mary ? 
13 What did he say further of this anointing ? 



JESUS ANOINTED AT BErHANY. 381 

pel shall be preached in the whole world, there 
shall also this, that this woman hath done, be 
told of a memorial of her. 

14 Thereupon Judas Iscariot went to the high 
priests, and said : What will ye give me, and I 
will betray him unto you ? 15 They agreed with 
him for thirty pieces of silver, (fifteen dollars) 
and from that time he sought an opportunity to 
betray him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. You should show your love and esteem to those 
who are worthy of them on every occasion ; these 
evidences of regard are but the awards of virtue. 

2. That which is done out of pure gratitude and 
love, should never be misjudged, but ought always to 
be regarded as a good work. 

3. You must have Jesus in your heart, and at the 
same time, cheerfully do him honor before all the 
world, that you may be everywhere known, both by 
word and deed, as his true disciple. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Jesus Saviour of my soul, 

Let me to thy bosom fly, 
Whilst the waves of trouble roll, 

Whilst the tempest still is high * 
Other refuge have I none 
Leave, ah, leave me not alone. 

John, xxi., 17. — Lord, thou knowest all things, 
thou knowest that I love thee. 

14 What cjid Jndas Iscariot then do ? 

14 How much money was offered to the traitor? 



382 Christ's entrance into Jerusalem. 
STOKY 37. 

(COrtst's entrance into Dcrusafem. 

Matthew, XXI. ; Mark, XI. ; Luke, XIX. ; John, XII. 

When Jesus, with his disciples drew nigh 
unto Jerusalem, and had come to Bethany unto ■ 
the Mount of Olives, a he sent two of his disciples 
before him, saying unto them : 2 Go into the 
village which is before you, and straightway ye 
shall find an ass tied and a colt with her : loose 
them and bring them unto me. And if an^ 
man shall say aught unto you, ye shall say : 
The Lord hath need of them ; and straightway 
he will send them. All this was done, that it 
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the 
prophet, saying : 3 Tell ye the daughter of Zion : 
Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and 
sitting on an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass. 
The disciples went and did as Jesus had com- 
manded them. 4 They found the ass and the 
colt tied by the door without, in a place where 
two roads met ; and brought them to Jesus and 
put on their clothes, 5 and Jesus sat upon the colt. 

1 Whom did Jesus send before him, when he had come to 
Bethany, unto the Mount of Olives? 

2 What did Jesus command his disciples to do ? 

8 What was the prophecy relative to Christ's entrance into 
Jerusalem ? 

4 What did the disciples find ? 

fi What did the Lord do, when the ass and the colt were 
brought unt« him ? 



cheist's enteance into jeeusalem. 383 

In the meantime, there were come unto him, 
not only his disciples, 6 but a great multitude, 
that had heard of his intended entrance into 
Jerusalem. 7 Many of them spread their gar- 
ments in the way, and jthers cut down branches 
from the trees and strewed them in the path be- 
fore him. In this way they continued their trium- 
phal procession up the Mount of Olives, to the 
spot where the road descends again into the city. 
Now when they were in sight of Jerusalem, the 
multitude that went before, and they that fol- 
lowed after him, raised their voices and cried, 
saying: 8 Hosanna to the Son of David ! Blessed 
is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; 
Hosanna in the highest. Some of the Pharisees, 
who had listened with displeasure to this re- 
joicing, said unto Jesus : 9 Master, rebuke thy 
disciples ; but he answered and said unto them : 
10 I tell yoi\ that if these should hold their peace, 
the stones would immediately cry out. Our 
Lord, himself, did not share in the joy and exul- 
tation of the people, for when he looked down 
from the Mount of Olives upon Jerusalem, he 

6 Who was come unto him besides his disciples ? 

7 What did the people do ? 

8 What did they cry aloud, when they came iD sight of 
Jerusalem ? 

9 What did some of the Pharisees say to Jesus, when they 
heard the rejoicings of the multitude ? 

10 What answer did he give them ? 



384 Christ's entrance into Jerusalem. 

wept over it, and said : n If thou hadst known, 
even thou, at least, in this thy day, the things 
which belong unto thy peace ! But now they are 
hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come 
upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench 
about thee, and compass thee round, and keep 
thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even 
with the ground, and thy children within thee ; 
and they shall not leave in thee one stone 
upon another; because thou knewest not the 
time of thy visitation. When Jesus was come 
into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying : 
12 Who is this? But the multitude which accom- 
panied him with great jubilee and rejoicing 
answered, and said : 13 This is Jesus, the prophet 
of Nazareth, of Galilee. 14 Our Lord seemed 
anxious to take immediate advantage of the 
enthusiasm of the people, to serve his holy pur- 
pose, and therefore went at once into the temple, 
and looked round upon all things, but took par- 
ticular notice of the tumult and disorder, caused 
by the traffic which was going on therein. But 

11 What did he say, when he saw the city of Jerusalem, and 
wept over it ? 

12 What did the people of the city ask, as Jesus entered 
therein ? 

13 What answer did the multitude make, that accompanied 
Jesus ? 

14 What did our lord seem anxious to do, that he might serve 
his holy purpose ? 



Christ's entrance into Jerusalem. 385 

as it was already evening he postponed what he 
had intended, and went out into Bethany with 
the twelve. On the following morning, he came 
again into Jerusalem, and hastened to the 
temple. When he had come into the vestibule 
and saw the confusion caused by those that 
bought and sold, as in a market-place, he showed 
himself as the Lord of the temple ; 15 for he over- 
threw the tables of the money changers, and the 
seats of them that sold doves, and cast out all 
them that sold in the temple, saying with 
righteous indignation : 16 It is written, my house 
shall be called the house of prayer ; but ye have 
made it a den of thieves. He went so far in 
purifying the temple, 17 that he would not even 
suffer any one to carry anything through the 
vestibule. And as on his entrance the day be- 
fore, the multitude cried: Hail! so they now 
cried in the temple, even the little children. 
For when they saw him healing the blind and 
the lame which came unto him, they were 
moved and cried aloud : ls Hosanna to the Son of 
David ! filling the hall of the temple with the 
noise of their rejoicings. Then the high priests 

15 How did Jesus, on the following morning, show himself to 
be Lord of the temple ? 

16 What did he say was written ? 

17 How far did he continue his work of purifying the temple? 

18 How did even the chiMren cry, when they saw Jesus healing 
the lame and the blind in *he temple ? 

33 



386 CHRIST'S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM. 

and scribes were sore displeased and said unto 
him : 19 Hearest thou what these say ? And Jesus 
saith unto them : 20 Yea, have ye never read 
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou 
hast perfected praise ? But this answer confused 
them, 21 and he went out of the city unto Bethany 
and lodged there. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Jesus acted, not for the glory which this world 
giveth, but for the salvation of man. In the midst of 
the rejoicing and jubilee of the people, Jesus wept 
over Jerusalem, because the people of that city re- 
jected him. Open, therefore, your heart to him, and 
gratefully accept true salvation from his hands ; thus 
you will be singing the loudest hosanna to his praise. 

2. Consider well, the high services and holy merits 
of your Redeemer, and your heart will be impressed 
with love and gratitude for his great worth, and con- 
fidence in his divine redemption. 

3. Even children can glorify the Lord Jesus, and 
often put their elders to shame, if they believe in him 
with child-like simplicity, and are obedient to his will. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Hail to the Lord's anointed, 

Great David's greater son , 
Hail, in the time appointed, 

His reign on earth begun ! 

ls What did the high priests and Scribe?, therefore, say t«> 
Jesus ? 
30 What answer did Jesus make ? 
n Where did he now go to lodge ? 



THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYABD. 387 

He comes to break oppression, 

To set the captive free, 
To take away transgression, 

And rule in equity. 

Psalms, lxxi. 8. — Let my mouth be filled with thy 
praise and with thy honor all the day. 



STORY 38. 

&6e paraOfe of tpe Tftnegarb. 

Matthew XXI. ; Mark XII.; Luke XX. 

The next morning our Lord again came unto 
Jerusalem, and went into the vestibule of the 
temple, where a great multitude had gathered 
together to hear him. 1 The high priest and 
Pharisees reflected with great bitterness on his 
triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, his purifi- 
cation of the temple, of the many wonderful 
cures he had performed, and the Hosannas 
which the children had shouted to his praise. 
2 They, therefore, endeavored to draw him into 
a conversation, 3 whereby they might obtain a 
reasonable pretext for arresting him : 4 but he 
answered them with so much calmness and 

1 On what did high priests and Pharisees reflect with bitter 
ness, when they again saw Jesus preaching in the temple ? 

2 What, did they, therefore, endeavor to do ? 

3 Why did they seek to entrap him into a conversation ? 

4 How did Jesus answer them ? 



388 THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD. 

dignity, that they failed in their attempt. 6 He 
held up their whole conduct towards him in a 
parable, and showed them how in their wicked- 
ness, they had treated him even more shame- 
fully than their forefathers had ever acted 
toward the earlier teachers and prophets. He 
said unto them : Hear another parable. 6 There 
was a certain householder, who planted a vine- 
yard and hedged it round about, and digged 
a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it 
out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 
When the time of the fruit drew near, 7 he sent 
a servant to the husbandmen that he might 
receive from them part of the fruit of the vine- 
yard as pay. 8 But they caught him and beat 
him and sent him away empty. Again he sent 
unto them another servant ; 9 and at him they 
cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and 
sent him away shamefully. After this he sent 
a third, 10 whom they killed ; and he sent many 
others, whom they treated in the same way, 



6 What did he show them in a parable ? 

6 What did the householder do, who is spoken of in the 
parable ? 

7 Whom did he send to receive part of the fruit of the vine- 
yard? 

8 How did the husbandmen treat the servant of the house- 
holder ? 

» How did they act towards the second? 
10 How, towards the third ? 



THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD. 389 

"beating some and killing some. Then spake the 
lord of the vineyard, saying! 12 What shall I 
do? I will send my beloved son, it may be 
they will reverence him, when they see him. 
But when the husbandmen saw the son, they 
said among themselves : 13 This is the heir ; come, 
let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheri- 
tance ! 14 And they caught him and cast him out 
of the vineyard and slew him. When the Lord 
of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto 
those husbandmen? Jesus ceased and was 
silent; but they answered him, saying: 15 He 
will come and destroy these wicked men and give 
the vineyard unto others. Now when they 
perceived that they had spoken their own con- 
demnation, they said : 16 Such be far from our 
minds. Hereupon, Jesus looked at them 
earnestly, and said : Is that impossible ? What 
then is meant by the scripture : 17 The stone 
which the builders rejected is become the head 

11 How did they treat the other ? 

What did the lord of the vineyard now say ? 

13 What did the husbandmen say, when they saw their 
master's son ? 

14 What outrage did they commit upon him ? 

15 What answer was given, when Jesus asked, what the Lord 
'of the vineyard would do unto the husbandmen ? 

16 What did the Pharisees say, when they perceived that they 
had spoken their own condemnation ? 

17 How did Jesus answer them with a quotation from the Holy 
Scriptures? 

33* 



J 90 THE PAEABLE OF THE VINEYARD. 

of the corner ? This was the Lord's doing, and 
it is marvellous in our eyes. Therefore I say 
unto you : 18 The kingdom of God, shall be 
taken from you, and given to a nation bringing 
forth the fruits thereof; and whosoever shall fall 
upon this stone, shall be broken ; but on whom- 
soever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 
19 As there could be no doubt, that in this parable 
Jesus spake of the chief priests and Pharisees, 
they again sought to arrest him, but when they 
went to lay hands upon him, 20 they feared the 
multitude, because the people took him for a 
prophet. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Men generally hate the doctrines of Jesus, because 
it denies them the gratification of their passions, and 
demands from them fruits of righteousness and virtue ; 
this in the end will be the cause of their . condem- 
nation. 

2. Let not the fact, that men have despised and 
rejected Christ, influence your mind against his holy 
religion : but honor him all your days, as the best 
friend, who has given salvation unto man. 

3. Fear God in your heart, and you need never 
have any fear of man. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Sinners, turn, why will ye die ? 
God, you Savour, asks you why 

18 What did he say, relative to the kingdom of God ? 

19 Why did the Pharisees again seek to arrest Jesus T 
" What prevented them from doing so ? 



JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES. 391 

He, who did your souls retrieve, 

Died himself that you might live. 

Will you let him die in vain ? 

Crucify your Lord again ? 
Isaiah, xxviii. 16. — Therefore thus saith the Lord 
G od : Behold. I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, 
a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure founda- 
tion ; he that believeth shall not make haste. 



STORY 39. 

CJesus gioetfj §ts otsctpfes an epampfe of Oumtfttn; 

Ije ttiasOetfj tfjetr feet, ano biscoueretO 

§tm roOo s()ouCb Getrau (jtm. 

John, XIII. 

Our Lord, up to this time, taught daily in the 
temple, and had passed the nights outside of the 
city of Jerusalem, probably in Bethany, ^e 
knew that his hour was come, that he should 
depart out of this world unto the father, 2 having 
loved his own which were in the world, he 
loved them unto the end. 3 He wanted there- 
fore to inform his disciples beforehand, of what 

1 What was Jesus perfectly aware of, after his entrance into 
Jerusalem ? 

2 "What is said of the love, which Jesus bore towards his 
friends ? 

3 Of what did Jesus, in his love for his disciples, wish to 
iloxm them ? 



392 JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES. 

was to happen to him, 4 that he was perfectly 
prepared for all things, and was even aware of 
the designs of his betrayer. He had known 
this for a long time ; for on the occasion, when 
Peter asked him : Lord to whom shall we go ? 
He answered, saying: 5 Thou hast the words of 
eternal life. Have I not chose you twelve, 
and one of you is a devil. He appointed 
Wednesday evening as the time for this confi- 
dential interview, when the devil had already put 
it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray him. 
But before he opened his heart to them, he per- 
formed an action to his disciples, which in all 
his condescension and humility towards them, 
he had never done before, and at which they 
were greatly astonished. It happened as follows : 
6 Supper being ended, Jesus arose and laid aside 
his garment; and took a towel and girded him- 
self : then poured water into a basin, and began 
7 to wash his disciples' feet, and to wipe them 
with the towel wherewith he was girded. Struck 
with surprise and amazement, his disciples did 
not oppose it. But when he came to Simon 
Peter, Peter said unto him : 8 Lord, dost thou 

4 What did he wish to show them ? 

5 What answer did Jesus, who for a long time had been awar* 
of the designs of his betrayer, give to Peter ? 

8 What did the Lord do, when the supper was ended ? 

7 Why did he pour water into a basin ? 

8 What did Simon Peter say unto Jesu3 ? 



JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES. 393 

wash my feet ? Jesus answered : 9 What I do 
thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know 
hereafter. Then said Peter unto him: Thou 
shalt never wash my feet ; but when the Lord 
answered him, saying : 10 If I wash thee not, 
thou hast no part with me, he replied with all 
the devotion of his love : n Lord, not my feet 
only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus 
saith unto him : 12 He that is washed need- 
eth not save to wash his feet, but is clean 
every whit : and ye are clean, but not all. 
13 These last words referred to the traitor. After 
he had performed this service of humility, and 
had taken his garments again, he sat down and 
spake unto them, saying : 14 Know ye what I 
have done to you. Ye call me Master, and Lord : 
and ye say well, for so I am. If I then, your 
Lord and Master, have washed your feet, I have 
given you an example, that ye should do as I 
have done to you. Soon after he continued : 1 
know whom I have chosen : but that the Scrip- 



9 What answer did Jesus make ? 

10 What did the Lord say, when Peter refused to permit him 
to wash his feet ? 

" What did he now answer with all the devotion of his love ? 
12 What did Jesus then say ? 
K Why did he say : Ye are clean, but not all ? 
14 What, did he say to his disciples, after he had washed their 
feet? 



394 JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES. 

ture may be fulfilled ; 15 He that eateth bread 
with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 
When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in 
spirit, and said : Verily, verily, I say unto you, 
that one of you shall betray me. This went to 
the hearts of his disciples, and Simon Peter 
beckoned to John, who was leaning on Jesus 
bosom, 16 to ask him, who the traitor was. John 
asked him quietly, and Jesus answered him, 
without being heard by the others; 17 He it is 
to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it. 
18 He dipped the sop and gave it to Judas 
Iscariot. And after he had taken it, 19 Satan 
entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him ; 
20 what thou doest, do quickly. No one at the 
table knew for what intent he spake this unto 
him ; 21 for some of them thought, because 
Judas carried the purse, that Jesus had said 
unto him; Buy those things that we have need 
of against the feast; or that he should give 
something to the poor. Hereupon Judas went 

15 What did he say should happen, that the Scriptures might 
be fulfilled? 

16 Why did Peter beckon to John, when the Lord said : One 
of ye shall betray me ? 

17 What answer did Jesus give unto John, without being over- 
heard by the others ? 

18 To whom did he give the sop ? 

19 What happened after Judas had taken it ? 
80 What did Jesus say to Judas Iscariot? 

21 What did some of tLmi understand by these words I 



JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES. 395 

out at once, although it was night ; and the 
Lord continued in conversation with the re- 
maining disciples. 

USEFUL LESSON'S. 

1. Always retain these words in your heart . Hav- 
ing loved his own which were in the world, he loved 
them unto the end, and think always within your- 
self: Let us love him, who first loved us. 

3. Also remember faithfully these words: 1 have 
given you an example, that ye should do as I have 
done to you, and then endeavor, always to look np to 
Jesu/. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Jesus, my Saviour and my Lord 

To thee I lift mine eyes ; 
Teach and instruct me by thy word, 

And make me truly wise. 

Make me to know and understand 

Thy whole revealed will; 
Fain would I learn to comprehend 

Thy love more clearly still. 

Help me to read the Bible o'er 

With ever new delight: 
Help me to love its author more ; 

To seek thee day and night. 

Matthew, lx., 29. Learn of me; for I am meek 
and lowly in heart. 



396 INSTITUTION OF THE LOED's SUPPER. 

STORY 40. 

£0e institution of tfje Corb's Supper. 

Matthew XX VI. ; Mark XIV. ; Luke XXII. 

Now when the day had come on which the 
unleavened bread was eaten, the disciples of our 
Lord came unto him and said : Where wilt 
thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pass- 
over? Jesus wished, on this occasion, to show 
them that God had fore-ordained everything 
which was to happen to him, even to the 
smallest trifle, and also, that he himself had 
a perfect knowledge even of the most seemingly 
unimportant event which was to transpire. He 
therefore said unto Peter and John : ^o ye 
into the city, and there shall meet you a man 
bearing a pitcher of water, follow him into the 
house where he entereth in. Then say unto 
the good man of the house : 2 The Master saith 
unto thee : Where is the guest-chamber, where 
I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 
And he shall show you a large upper room, 
furnished ; there make ready. And they went 
and found as he had said unto them: 3 And 

1 How did the Lord answer his disciples, when they asked 
him : Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee the passover ? 

* What did Jesus tell his disciples to say unto the good man 
of the house ? 

3 What did they prepare, when they found everything as the 
Lord had foretold them ? 



Page 397. 



Story 40. 




The institution of the Lord's Supper. 
34 



398 INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

they made ready the passover. In the evening 
our Lord went and sat down with his twelve 
apostles. He then spake unto them, saying : 
4 Wi.th desire I have desired to eat this passover 
with you before I suffer : For I say unto you, I 
will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled 
in the kingdom of God ; neither will I drink of 
the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God 
shall come. 5 His soul was filled with the 
thought of that death which he should suffer in 
so short a time, for the redemption of mankind. 
A token was given, in order that all the world, 
not only his disciples, but every one for whom 
he was prepared to yield himself up to a shame- 
ful death, 6 should be comforted by preserving 
his memory, and 7 be awakened to the perfor- 
mance of good works by renewed faith in him. 
With this design the Lord's supper was insti- 
tuted, 8 to commemorate the death he was about 
to suffer, out of love for us and in obedience to 
his Father's will. After the feast of the pass- 
over, he took bread, 9 gave thanks, and brake it, 

* What did Jesus say at the table ? 

6 With what thought was the soul of the Saviour filled ? 

6 How were those, for whom Jesus was ready to die, to be 
comforted ? 

7 What effect is this token intended by Jesus to produce on 
all our hearts ? 

8 With what design did our Lord institute the last supper? 

9 What did Jesus do when he took the bread ? 



tls'STITUTION OF THtf LOKD's SUPPER. 399 

saying : 10 Take and eat ; this is my body which 
is _iven for you ; this do in remembrance of 
me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying. 
n Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the 
new testament, which is shed for many, for the 
remission of sins ; this do, as often as ye do it, 
in remembrance of me. This happened the 
same night on which he was betrayed ; and 
when they had sung a hymn, 12 they went out to 
the Mount of Olives. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Even in his deepest humilation, Jesus reveals 
himself as the Son of God ; for without omniscience 
he could not have foretold the circumstance of the 
man, who, on the morning of the passover, was 
bringing a pitcher of water into his house. 

2. Jesus instituted the last supper in memory of 
his love for us. No grateful Christian could celebrate 
it, without the deepest emotion and reverence. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
My God, and is thy table spread, 

And does thy cup with love o'erflow ? ' 
Thither be all thy children led, 

And let them thy sweet mercies know. 
Hail ! sacred feast, which Jesus makes 

Eich banquet of his flesh and blood : 
Thrice happy he, who here partakes 

That sacred stream, that heavenly food. 

" What did he say to his disciples ? 

11 What did he say, when he gave them the cup ? 

12 Whither did they go, when they had sung a hymn ? 



400 JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. 

Psalms, iii., 4. He hath made his wonderful 
works to be remembered : the Lord is gracious, and 
full of compassion. 



STORY 41. 

Oesus in $et(jsemane. 

Matthew, XXVI. ; Mark, XIV. ; Luke, XXII. 

By the institution of the holy supper, and his 
last serious conversation with his disciples, Jesus 
had prepared himself for the important events 
of the coming night and the following day. 
thereupon he went out with his disciples, and 
passed over a brook called Kedron, into the 
garden of Gethsemane. When they came there, 
he spake unto them, saying : 2 Sit ye here, while 
I go and pray yonder ; but pray ye also that ye 
enter not into temptation. His sufferings now 
began, for he was very sorrowful in his heart ; 
3 he took with him his most tried and faithful 
disciples, Peter, James and John, as witnesses, 
and he began to tremble and be sore afraid. 
Then he saith unto them : 4 My soul is exceeding 
sorrowful, even unto death : tarry ye here and 

1 Whither did Jesus go with his disciples after the iastitution 
of the Lord's supper ? 

2 What did he say to them, when they were come to Gethse- 
mane ? 

3 Whom die he take a? witnesses of his agony ? 

4 What did Jesus say to them iu the anguish of his soul ? 



Story 41. 



Page 401. 




Jesus in G c 'hsemaie. 
34* 



402 JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. 

watch with me. He went a little further and 
fell upon his face in agony and prayed, saying : 
5 0, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass 
from me ; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou 
wilt. 6 His agony was like unto a death struggle, 
and his sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood 
falling down to the ground ; but there appeared 
an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening 
him. He arose from prayer, and came unto his 
disciples as though he would seek comfort of 
them ; 7 but he found them sleeping. He saith 
unto Peter, who only a little while before had pro- 
mised to follow him even unto death : 8 What, 
could ye not watch with me one hour ? Watch 
and pray, that ye enter not into temptation : the 
spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 
He went away a second time and prayed more 
earnestly, saying: 9 0, my Father, if this cup 
may not pass away from me, except I drink it, 
thy will be done. He arose and went again 
unto his disciples, 10 and found them sleeping as 
before, for their eyes were heavy ; he left them, 



5 What prayer did he utter, when he had thrown himself 
down upon his face ? 

6 What is said of his agony ? 

7 How did he find his disciples, when he arose from prayer, 
and came unto them? 

8 What did he therefore say unto Peter ! 
M How did he pray the second time ? 

10 How did he again find his disciples ? 



JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. 403 

and went and prayed a third time in the same 
words; u and he felt composed and strengthened 
with the spirit of God. He arose and went 
unto his disciples, who were still asleep. He 
said unto them : 12 Sleep on, now, and take your 
rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold the 
Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 
Kise up, let us go ; lo, he that betrayeth me is 
at hand. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. In the hour of distress, we cannot always rely, 
even on the most faithful friends; we are all frail and 
erring creatures, and when bowed down by anguish, 
we sink into sleep. 

2. But we have a Friend in need who never slum- 
bers ; pray to him when your soul is troubled, and he 
will send an angel unto you, who will give you 
strength and comfort. 

3. Do not demand that each cup should pass away 
from you, but follow the example of your Eedeemer, 
and yield your mind and heart to the will of God, 
then will the cup of bitterness be changed to a cup of 

joy- 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

garden of olives, thou dear honored spot, 
The fame of thy wonders will ne'er be forgot ; 
The theme most transporting to seraphs above, 
The triumph of sorrow, the triumph of love. 

1 How did lie feel after praying the third time ? 

1 "What did he say, when he again found his disciples asleep ? 



404 JESUS IS TAKEN PRISONER. 

Come, saints, and adore him ; come, bow at Lis feet : 

give him the glory the praise that is meet ; 
Let joyful hosannas increasing arise, 

And join the full chorus that gladdens the skies. 

• Isaiah, xxxiv., 24. — Thou hast made me to serve 
with thy sins; and hast wearied me with thine 
iniquities. 

STORY 4 2. 

Desus (s tafieu prisoner. 

Matthew, XXVI. ; Mark, XIV. ; Luke, XXII. ; John, XVIII. 

Whilst Jesus was yet speaking, Ho, Judas, 
one of the twelve came, and there was with 
him a great multitude of the servants of the 
chief priests, besides scribes and elders of the 
people, with swords and staves and torches. 
Now he had already given them a sign, saying : 
2 Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he ; hold 
him fast. Forthwith he went up to Jesus, and 
said : 3 Hail, master ; and kissed him. Earnestly 
and sorrowfully, Jesus answered him, saying: 
Mudas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a 
kiss? He now stepped forth with quiet resig- 

1 Who approached, whilst Jesus was yet speaking to his 
disciples ? 

2 What had Judas, who was at the head of them, given them 
as a sign ? 

3 What did the traitor say to Jesus ? 

4 What answer did Jesus make ? 



Page 405. 



Story 42. 




Jesus is taken prisoner. 



406 JESUS IS TAKEN PRISONER. 

nation and asked the soldiers and servants of the 
chief priests : 5 Whom seek ye ? 6 Jesus of Nazareth, 
was the answer. As soon as he had said unto 
them : 7 I am he, they drew back in terror and 
fell to the ground. Then he asked them again • 
8 Whom seek ye ? and when they answered : 
9 Jesus of Nazareth, he replied : 10 I have told you 
that I am he ; if therefore ye seek me, let these 
go their way. Now when they began to lay 
hands on Jesus, and his disciples saw what 
would follow, they said unto Jesus : n Lord, shall 
we smite with the sword ? at the same moment 
12 Peter drew his sword and smote a servant of 
the high priest, and cut off his right ear. Then 
said Jesus unto Peter : 13 Put up thy sword into 
the sheath : the cup which my Father hath 
given me, shall I not drink it? Thinkest thou 
that I cannot now pray to my father, and he 
shall presently give me more than twelve legions 
of angels ? u He also touched the ear of the ser- 

» What did Jesus now ask the soldiers with great resignation ? 

6 What was their answer ? 

7 What happened, when Jesus said : I am he ? 

8 What did Jesus again ask them ? 

9 How did they answer ? 

10 What did Jesus again say unto them ? 

11 What did the disciples ask the Lord, when they began to 
lay hands upon him ? 

u What did Peter do ? 

13 What did Jesus say to him ? 

14 Hdw did he reveal himself to the servant of tie high priest? 



JESUS IS TAKEN PRISONER. 407 

vant and it was healed, but lie turned to the 
multitude and said : 15 Are ye come out as against 
a thief with swords and staves for to take me ? 
I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, 
and ye laid no hold on me ; but this is your hour 
and the power of darkness. 16 Then all the dis- 
ciples forsook him and fled. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Whosoever is conscious of perfect innocence, can 
approach his greatest enemy without fear. 

2. Woe to him who is so depraved as to make the 
guise of friendship and love, the means of another's 
destruction. 

3. Praise be to him, who begins the journey of life 
by doing good and ends it in like manner. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Lo ! what a cloud of witnesses 

Encompass us around ; 
Men once like us with suffering tried, 

But now with glory crowned. 
Behold a witness nobler still, 

Who trod affliction's path, 
Jesus, the Author, Finisher — 

Eewarder of our faith. 

John, xvi., 32. — Behold the hour cometh, yea, is 
now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his 
own, and shall leave me alone ; and yet I am not 
alone, because the Father is with me. 

15 What did lie say to the multitude ? 

16 "What did the disciples now do ? 



408 PETER DENIES CHRIST. 

STORY 4 3. 

]Jeter bentes (ft)rist. 

Matthew, XXYI. ; Mark, XIV. ; Luke, XXII. ; John, XVIII 

After the institution of the holy sacrament, 
our Lord, who knew everything beforehand, 
said, to his disciples : during this night you 
will all be offended with me and betray me. 
Simon Peter, however, answered : 2 And if they 
all betray thee, I shall not do so. But the 
Lord said : 3 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has 
desired to have you, that he may sift you as 
wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy 
faith fail not ; and when thou art converted, 
strengthen thy brethen. Hereupon Peter 
answered : 4 Lord ! I am ready to go to prison 
and to death. But Jesus, who knew his dis- 
ciple better, and could see into the future, 
assured him : 5 During this night before the 
cock crows twice, thou wilt deny me thrice. 
A few hours after, 6 what the Lord had foretold, 
came to pass. For when Jesus was conducted a 
prisoner from Gethsemane to Jerusalem, 7 Peter 

1 What did Jesus say to his disciples, after he had instituted 
the Lord's Supper ? 

2 What did Simon Peter answer ? 
6 But what did Jesus say ? 

* What did Peter then reply ? 
6 What did Jesus assert ? 

6 What really came to pass a few hours after? 

7 Whither did Peter follow his Master ? 



PETER DENIES CHRIST. 409 

followed him at a distance into the palace of the 
high priest. Here the servants had made a 
coal fire in the hall, 8 to warm themselves, and 
Peter also approached, 9 because he wanted to 
see what would happen to Jesus. But the 
woman who kept the door, noticed him and 
said : 10 Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth ! 
art thou not also one of the disciples of this 
man ? Peter answered : U I know him not, nor 
do I know what thou meanest. Hereupon he 
went out into the porch, and 12 the cock crew for 
the first time ; but Peter was not reminded by 
this of the word of his Master. Soon after, 
another maid came and said to the bystanders : 
13 This one was also with Jesus of Nazareth ; 
14 but he again denied, and swore : I do not 
know the man. He had still time to consider; 
for, an hour passed, before he was accosted again ; 
but then several of the servants said to him : 
15 Verily, thou also art one of the disciples ; for 
thy speech betrayeth thee ; and a relative of the 
servant whose ear Peter had cut off, said to his 
face : Did I not see thee in the garden with 

8 Why had the servants made a coal fire ? 

9 Why did Peter also approach the same ? 

10 What did the door-keeper say to Peter? 

11 What did the latter answer ? 

12 What happened when Peter went into the porch ? 

13 What did another maid, soon after say to the by-standeia ? 
l < What did Peter do? 

16 What did several servants say to Peter an hour after? 
35 



410 PETER DENIES CHRIST. 

him ? 16 Then Peter began to curse and to 
swear : I know not this man, of whom you 
speak. And whilst he was speaking, lo, 17 the 
cock crew a second time, 18 and Jesus timed 
and looked at him. 19 Then the fallen duciple 
thought of the warning of his Master, and '°went 
out and wept bitterly 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Do not be too confident of yourself, otherwise 
you trust too much to your own strength, and cr^ae to 
watch over your conduct, better remember your 
fraility, that you may take care not to fall. 

2. Pray for the welfare of those belonging *> you, 
particularly for that of their souls. Did not Christ 
pray for Peter, that his faith might endure ? 

8. Whoever has sinned, should show repentance, 
and if he is in earnest his Saviour will forgive him, 

PIOUS THOUGHTS 
How oft, alas ! this wretched heart 

Has wandered from the Lord : 
How oft my roving thoughts depart, 

Forgetful of his word. 
Yet sovereign mercy calls, " Eeturn," 

Dear Lord, and may I come ? 
My vile ingratitude I mourn ; 

O take the wanderer home. 

16 What did Peter again do ? 

17 What happened, whilst he was still speaking ? 

M What did Jesus do, when the cock crew the second time f 
19 Of what did the fallen Peter now think ? 
80 How did he manifest his repentance ? 



THE ACCUSATION AND CONDEMNATION. 411 

1 Cor. x., 12. — Wherefore let him that thinketh he 
standeth, take heed lest he fall. 



STORY 44. 

£{je accusation anb conbemnatton of Oesus. 

Matthew, XXVI., XXVII. ; Mark, XIV., XV.; 
Luke.; XXII., XXIII.; John, XVIIL, XIX. 

It was nearly midnight when the multitude 
returned with Jesus unto Jerusalem ; but many 
of the Pharisees and elders of the people, were 
assembled together in the house of the high 
priest to await the return of the band which 
they had sent out. ^hey first brought the 
prisoner to Annas the former high priest, and 
the father-in-law of Caiaphas to show him that 
everything had been done according to his wish. 
Annas did not give Jesus a hearing, 2 but sent 
him, bound, unto Caiaphas, which was the high 
priest that same year, and at whose house all 
the preparation had been made for his trial. 
The high priest first questioned him relative to 
his disciples, and the doctrines which he taught ; 
Jesus answered him, saying : 3 I spake openly 
to the world ; I ever taught in the synagogue, 

1 To whom was Jesus first brought, when he was led captive 
into Jerusalem ? 

2 To whom did Annas send him ? 

3 What answer did Jesus make, when the high priest ques- 
tioned him about his disciples and his doctrines ? 



*12 THE ACCUSATION AND CONDEMNATION. 

and in the temple, whither the Jews always 
resort ; and in secret have I said nothing. 
Therefore ask those who have heard me. 4 One 
of the officers of the high priests who regarded 
this answer as irreverent, struck him with the 
palm of his hand, saying ; Darest thou answer 
the high priest so ? 5 Jesus turned and answered 
him very mildly, saying : If I have spoken evil 
bear witness of the evil : but if well, why smit- 
test thou me? Now the chief priests and elders, 
and all the council, sought false witness against 
Jesus, 6 but although many false, witnesses ap- 
peared against him their testimony did not 
agree. Then the high priest turned to Jesus, 
and said : 7 I adjure thee by the living God, that 
thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son 
of God ? Jesus answered him, saying : 8 Yes, I 
am, as thou hast said : nevertheless I say unto 
you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sit- 
ting on the right hand of power, and coming in 
the clouds of heaven. 9 Then the high priest 
rent his clothes, saying : He hath spoken blas- 

4 How did the officer of the high priest act towards Jesus ? 
s What did Jesus answer very mildly ? 

6 What did not agree, although many false witnesses appeared 
against Jesus ? 

7 How did the high priest now address Jesus ? 

8 What answer did Jesus make ? 

What did the high priest do and say, upon receiving his 
answer ? 



THE ACCUSATION AND CONDEMNATION. 413 

phemy ; what further need have we of wit- 
nesses ! and the other priests and Scribes cried 
out : 10 He is guilty of death. Wherewith the 
first examination was at an end, n and the men 
who had Jesus in charge treated him with rude 
outrage, for they spat in his face and mocked 
him, and when they had blindfolded him, they 
struck him, saying : Prophesy to us, Christ, who 
is it that smote thee. 12 But he bore all with 
meekness and patience. 

The day had scarcely dawned, when the 
high priests and elders of the people, held 
another council about Jesus, that it might not 
appear that their judgment had been hastily 
rendered. They again summoned him to appear 
before them, and asked him 13 if he was the Son 
of God as he again asserted it, 14 they confirmed 
his sentence of death, and led him, bound, 
unto the governor Pontius Pilate. When Judas 
learned that the master whom he had so faith- 
lessly betrayed, was condemned to death, 15 his 

10 What did the other priests and Scribes cry out ? 

11 How did the men, who had Jesus in charge, conduct them- 
selves towards him, after the first examination ? 

u How did the Lord tear these insults ? 

13 What did the high priest and elders of the people ask him 
on the second examination ? 

14 What did they do, when Jesus again asserted, that he was 
the Son of God ? 

15 What was the effect produced on Judas, by the information 
that Jesus had been condemned to dia ? 

35* 



414 THE ACCUSATION AND CONDEMNATION. 

conscience smote him, and he repented. He 
brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the 
chief priests and elders, saying : 16 I have sinned 
in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. But 
when they answered him : 17 What is that to us? 
18 he cast down the pieces of silver in the tem- 
ple, "departed, and went and hanged himself 
in despair. 

20 Jesus was now arraigned before the Roman 
Governor, 21 for, since the time when the Romans 
obtained jurisdiction over the land, the Jews 
were not permitted to carry out a sentence of 
death, without their consent. Pilate desired to 
know what charge they had to make against 
Jesus. The Jews answered him, saying : 22 He 
perverteth the people, by forbidding them to 
give tribute unto Caesar, saying that he himself 
is Christ, a king Then Pilate asked him, say- 
ing : ^Art thou the king of the Jews ? 24 And 
Jesus answered him and said : Thou sayest it ; 

16 What did Judas say to the chief priests when he returned 
the pieces of silver ? 

17 "What answer did he receive ? 

18 Where did Judas cast down the pieces of silver ? 

19 What was his end ? 

20 Before whom was Jesus now arraigned ? 

21 Why was he brought before Pilate ? 

22 What did the Jews say, when Pilate desired to know what 
charge they had to make against Jesus ? 

23 What question did Pilate put to Jesus ? 
u What answer did Jesus make ? 



THE ACCUSATION AND CONDEMNATION. 415 

but my kingdom is not of this earth. Now when 
Pilate declared unto the Jews that he found 
no fault in him, they repeated fiercely : 25 He 
stirreth up the people, teaching through all 
Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. 
They said this to influence the judge against 
him, as it was well known that the Galileans 
were suspected of revolting. 26 Hereupon Pilate 
sent our Lord unto king Herod, because he 
belonged unto his jurisdiction ; and Herod was 
glad to see him, inasmuch as he had heard a 
great deal of him, and 27 hoped that he would 
perform a miracle for him. The king asked 
him many questions, which probably had 
no bearing on the cause, for Jesus did not 
answer any of them. 28 Herod and his courtiers 
therefore mocked him and despised him, and 
caused him, in scorn, to be arrayed in a white 
robe, such as was worn by candidates for high 
offices, and sent him back to Pilate. This af- 
forded an opportunity for Herod and Pilate, 
who had been at enmity with each other, to 
become friends again. 

Pilate called the high priest and the rulers 

25 What answer did the Jews make, when Pilate said that he 
found no fault in Jesus ? 

26 To whom did Pilate now send our Lord ? 

27 What did Herod hope, when he saw Jesus ? 

23 How did Herod and his courtiers treat Jesus, when he did 
not answer their questions? 



416 THE ACCUSATION AND CONDEMNATION. 

and the people together, 29 and tried various 
means to save Jesus. It was customary in Jeru- 
salem, 30 for the governor to release a prisoner to 
the people at the feast. Pilate tried to avail 
himself of this custom; 31 and as there was then 
a man named Barabas in prison, for murder, he 
gave the Jews their choice, 32 whether he or Jesus 
should be released unto them. The people in- 
fluenced by the rulers, cried out : 33 Away with 
Jesus, and release unto us Barabas. Pilate 
asked what he should do with Jesus, and the 
whole multitude cried out : ^Crucify him, 
crucify him ! Now whilst Pilate was on the 
judgment bench, his wife sent to him, by a mes- 
senger, the following words : 35 Have nothing to 
do with this righteous man ; for I have suffered 
much in a dream respecting him. Pilate who 
well knew that the Jews had accused Jesus only 
out of envy, was still more strengthened in his 
determination to save him, if possible. 36 He 

29 What did Pilate hereupon try to effect ? 

30 What was customary in Jerusalem ? 

31 Who was in prison at the same time ? 

32 What choice did Pilot give the Jews ? 

33 What did the people, who were influenced by the rulers, 
cry out? 

31 What did the multitude answer, when Pilate asked what 
should be done with Jesus ? 

36 What message did the wife of Pilate send to him, t W.lst 
he was on the judgment bench '< 

* What did Pilate again declare our Lord to be ? 



THE ACCUSATION AND CONDEMNATION. 417 

again declared him innocent; and to satisfy 
and appease the enemies of the Lord, in some 
degree, he said: 37 I will chastise him and re- 
lease him. So Pilate had him scourged, 38 and 
the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, put it on 
his head, and covered him with a purple robe, 
and gave him for a sceptre a reed in his hand. 
Then they knelt before him, saying : Hail, King 
of the Jews. Now Pilate caused Jesus to be 
brought before the people, that he might excite 
their compassion, and said unto them : 39 Behold 
the man. But the Jews insisted upon his being 
crucified, and said unto Pilate : 40 If thou release 
him, thou art no friend of Cagsar's. This fright- 
ended Pilate, and he took water and washed 
his hands, saying : 41 I am innocent of the 
blood of this righteous man; see ye to it. 
Then the multitude cried out, and it was af- 
terwards fearfully fulfilled on them : ^His 
blood be on us and on our children, 43 and Pilate 
delivered Jesus up to be crucified. 

87 What did he do, to appease the enemies of Jesus ? 

38 What did the soldiers do, when Jesus had been scourged ? 

39 What did Pilate say, when he caused Jesus to be again 
brought before the people ? 

40 What did the Jews now say to Pilate ? 

41 What did Pilate say, when he took water and washed his 
hands ? 

42 What did the people cry out ? 
* What did Pilate now do? 



418 CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF CHRIST. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Never allow yourself to be made an Jistrument 
for the fulfillment of the designs of the wicked ; for 
most probably you will be thereby led into destruc- 
tion, from which there is no release. 

2. How unjust are oftimes the judgments of the 
world. Barabas was released, and Jesus was deliv- 
ered up to be crucified. Have confidence therefore 
in a higher judge. 

3. Whoever has the power of saving a man from 
death, and does not do so, is that man's murderer. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
To dwell with sinners here below, 

The Saviour left the skies, 
And sunk to wretchedness and wo, 

That worthless man might rise. 

He took the dying sinner's place, 

And suffered in his stead ; 
For man, miracle of grace I 

For man the Saviour bled. 

Hebrews, xii., 3. — For consider him that endured 
such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye 
be wearied and faint in your minds. 



STORY 45. 

£f)e crucifixion of £i)rist anb f)ts beatQ. 

Matthew, XXVII. ; Mark, XV. ; Luke, XXIII. ; John, XII. 

As soon as Pilate had pronounced the sen- 
tence of death upon Jesus, all the preparations 



Story 45. 



Page 419. 




The crucifix! m of Christ and his death. 



420 CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF CHRIST. 

for his crucifixion, were immediately made. 
x That these took place exactly at the time of 
the festival, when there were numerous stran- 
gers at Jerusalem, and before the eyes of the 
whole nation, was a part of God's wise decree. 
For everybody knowing that he had only been 
crucified, 2 because he had said he was the Son 
of God, it was evident, when a few days after 
he arose from the dead, 3 that God himself had 
confirmed him as such. 

The soldiers led Jesus out to a hill called Gol- 
gotha, to crucify him there. 4 Two evil doers 
were sent out to be crucified at the same time. 
'Jesus bore his own cross, and his body, already 
weakened, almost fell under the heavy burthen. 
And the sad procession met on the road a man 
called Simon from Cyrene, whom the soldiers 
compelled 6 to bear the cross of Christ. But a 
great multitude of people, and many women 
followed him, who lamented and wept for him. 
Jesus turned to these and said: 7 Ye daughters 

1 At what time, according to God's wise decree, did the 
orucifixion take place? 

2 What did every body know to be the cause of Jesus'si 
crucifixion ? 

3 What could every body see, when he arose on the third 
day? 

4 Who was led out to be crucified with Jesus ? 
6 What did Jesus himself bear ? 

6 What did the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to do ? 

7 What did J esus say, when the women who followed him, 
wept? 



CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF CHRIST. 421 

of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for your- 
selves and for your children ; for there will be 
days of dreadful anguish, and if they do these 
things in a green tree, what shall be done in a 
dry ? When they came to Golgotha, the place of 
execution, or the place of skulls, they gave Jesus 
a drink of vinegar and of myrrh, to stupify him ; 
8 but he merely tasted it and did not swallow it. 
They now crucified him, and the two male- 
factors, one to his right, and the other to his left ; 
but Jesus prayed : 9 Father, forgive them, for they 
know not what they do ! Over the cross, they 
put the superscription : 10 Jesus of Nazareth, 
King of the Jews, n and afterwards the Roman 
soldiers, who had crucified him, divided his 
clothes among themselves; but for his over- 
coat, which was without a seam, they cast 
lots. And the people stood by and looked on, 
and the rulers with them, and they mocked 
him, saying: 12 He has helped others, now let 
him help himself, if he is the chosen one of 
God. 13 Even one of the sinners, who was cruci- 
fied spake these same words to him, but the 

8 What did he do, when they reached him a drink of vinegar 
and myrrh ? 

9 What was his prayer, when they were crucifying him ? 

10 What superscription did the Jews place over the cross ? 

11 What was done with his garments ? 
18 How did the multitude mock him ? 

u What did even one of those do, who was crucified with 
him? 



422 CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF CHRIST. 

other rebuked him, and said to Jesus : "Lord, 
remember me, when thou comest into thy king- 
dom. Jesus, who saw that he was not a har- 
dened sinner, gave him the consoling answer : 

15 VERILY, TO-DAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARA- 
DISE, By the cross of Jesus, stood his mother, 
and also the sister of his mother, the wife of 
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen, also his disciple 
John. They had followed him in order to 
see, how far the inscrutable providence of God 
would let matters come with him, and here, 
under the cross, Mary felt lc what Simeon had 
told her thirty-three years before in the temple : 
A sword will pierce thy soul. When Jesus saw 
his mother, and the disciple, whom he loved, he 
provided for her in her solitary old age, and 
spake : "Woman, that is thy son, and to John : 
18 Behold that is thy mother. 19 From that hour 
the disciple took her to his own home. ^Here- 
upon, there came a darkness over the whole 
land, which lasted, for three hours, until the 
death of Jesus. This could not be a common 

14 But what did the other malefactor say to Jesus ? 

15 What promise did Jesus make to him ? 

ie What did Mary feel, when she stood under the cross of 
Jesus ? 

17 What did Jesus say to his mother, when ho saw her stand- 
ing near his disciple John ? 

18 What did he say to John ? 

19 How did John obey the command of his Master? 
* What now took place ? 



CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF CHRIST. 423 

eclipse of the sun, because the moon was lull, 
and thus the Jews received a sign from heaven, 
for which they had often asked our Lord. When 
the darkness had ceased, Jesus cried with a loud 
voice : 21 My God, my God, why hast thou for- 
saken me ? Soon after, he said : 22 I am thirsty ; 
and one of them ran immediately, filled a sponge 
with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave Jesus 
to drink. When Jesus had taken the vinegar, 
he spoke : 23 It is finished ; and immediately after 
he exclaimed : 24 Father, into thy hands I com- 
mend my spirit ! bowed his head and expired. 

25 At the moment of his death, it was three 
o'clock in the afternoon, the earth quaked, the 
curtain in the temple was rent asunder, rocks 
burst, the graves opened, and many bodies of 
saints, which slept, arose. But the captain who 
kept guard at the cross, said : 26 Truly this was 
a pious man, and the Son of God. 27 Also the 
people who had come out, struck their breasts 
and returned. At last one of the soldiers opened 
the side of the Lord with a spear, 28 and imme- 

21 What did Jesus now call with a loud voice ? 

2V! What did he say soon after ? 

e Wnat did he say, after he had taken the vinegar ? 

24 What did he exclaim immediately after ? 

25 What happened when Jesus expired ? 

26 What did the captain say, who stood by the cross ? 
87 What did the people do, who had came out ? 

,8 What flowed from the wound, when one of the soldie»s 
opened his side with a spear ? 



424 CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF CHRIST. 

diately blood and water flowed from the wound, 
a sure sign that he was dead, for the like is not 
in any living body. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. In Jesus was fulfilled, what the prophets had 
foretold: (Isaiah, liii., 5,) He' was wounded for our 
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities ; the 
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with 
his stripes we are healed. 

2. Jesus fulfilled his own words on the cross: (John, 
xv., 13,) Greater love hath no man than this, that a 
man lay down his life for his friends. 

3. At the cross of Jesus, we must acknowledge 
with the most humble thanks what his apostle has 
said unto us : (1 John, i., 7,) The blood of Jesus his 
Son, cleanseth us from all sin. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
When I survey the wondrous cross, 

On which the Prince of Glory died, 
My richest gain I count but loss, 

And pour contempt on all my pride. 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, 

Save in the cross of Christ my God : 
All the vain things that charm me most, 

I sacrifice them to thy blood. 
See I from his head, his hands, his feet, 

Sorrow and love flow mingled down : 
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet? 

Or thorns compose a Saviour's crown ? 
John, L, 29. — Behold the Lamb of God which taketh 
•way the sins of the world. 



THE BURIAL OF JESUS. 425 

STORY 46. 

£lje DSuriol of 3esus. 

Matthew, XXVII.; Mark, XV. ; Luke, XXIII. ; John, XIX. 

After our Lord had died upon the cross, those 
who had loved and ' honored him, Vere very 
anxious that he should be buried with befitting 
honor. His nearest friends were unknown and 
humble people of Galilee, who could do nothing ; 
2 for without the special permission of Pontius 
Pilate, the body could only be buried at the 
place of execution. They were therefore pain- 
fully embarrassed 

There was at this time in Jerusalem, a rich 
man from Arimathea, named Joseph, an 
honourable counsellor, who also waited for the 
kingdom of God, and who had not consented to 
the counsel and deed of the others. 3 He was 
also a disciple of Jesus, but had hitherto con- 
cealed it for fear of the Jews, but now casting 
away all fear, 4 he went in boldly unto Pilate 
and begged the body of Jesus, for burial. Pilate 
was astonished to learn that Jesus had died so 
soon, and enquired of the captain about it. But 



1 "Wherefore were the friends of Jesus still anxious, after he 
had died upon the cross ? 

2 Why could his nearest friends do nothing ? 

2 "Who had concealed his partiality for Jesus, for fear of the 
Jews? 

4 How did Jose oh really show that he had cast awav all fear ? 
36* 



Story 46. 



Pajre 426. 




Thi burial of Christ. 



THE BUEIAL OF JESUS. 

trfien he heard that Jesus was really dead, 5 he 
commanded the body to be delivered unto 
Joseph. 6 He attended faithfully to the removal 
of the body from the cross, and wrapped it in 
new linen. 7 There came also Nicodemus, who 
had formerly visited Jesus by night, and he 
brought with him a hundred pounds of spices and 
mixture of myrrh and aloes, then they both took 
the body and wound it in new linen clothes with 
the spices, as was the custom among the Jews, of 
burying their honored and beloved friends, who 
had died. Near to the place where Jesus had 
been crucified, Joseph owned a garden, 8 where 
there was a perfectly new tomb, in which no dead 
had yet been laid. 9 In this sepulchre, the two 
pious men placed the body of our Lord, 10 and then 
rolled a great stone which closed the entrance 
before it. n There were a few women who loved 
and honored the Lord, present in the garden, at 
the time of his burial. Among them were Mary 
Magdalen, and the other Mary, who afterwards, 
went and prepared spices and ointment in order 
to embalm him after the Sabbath. 

6 What did Pilate command, when he had heard that Jesua 
vas really dead ? 

6 What did Joseph now do ? 

7 How did Nicodemus show his love for Jesus ? 

8 What was in the garden, which Joseph owned ? 

9 Whom did Joseph and Nicodemus lay in the sepulchre ? 

10 What did they roll before the entrance of the tomb ? 
1 Who was piesent in the garden ? 



428 THE BUKIAL OF JESUS. 

The next day, the high priests and Pharisees 
came unto Pilate and said : 12 Sir, we remember 
that that deceiver said, whilst he was yet alive: 
After three days I will rise again. Command, 
therefore, that the sepulchre be made sure, until 
the third day, lest his disciples come by night 
and steal him away, and say unto the people : 
He is risen from the dead ; so the last error shall 
be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them : 
13 Ye have a watch, go your way and make it as 
sure as you can. u So they went and made the 
sepulchre sure, and set a watch, and besides this, 
sealed the stone which closed the entrance, so 
that the disciples might not come and kill the 
watch and open the sepulchre. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Even though the godless may prevail, they can 
have no true joy in their conquest, for they are 
always afraid. The enemies of Jesus feared him, 
although he lay in his grave. 

2. When the innocent man is oppressed, he will 
always find righteous men to support his cause. 
Walk in the paths of innocence all your days ; then 
you will have true joy. 

3. The grave is never dreaded by the righteous, 
for, as with Jesus, it is to them but the entrance into 
glory and everlasting salvation. 

12 What did the high priest and Pharisees say to Pilate on 
the following day ? 

13 What did Pilate say unto them ? 

14 What d'd the chief priests and Pharisees now do ? 



THE KESURRECTION" OF JESUS. 429 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
Hear what the voice from heaven declares 

To those in Christ who die : 
Released from all their earthly cares, 

They'll reign with him on high. 
Then why lament departed friends, 

Or shake at death's alarms? 
Death's but the servant Jesus sends 

To call us to his arms. 
If sin be pardoned, we're secure, 

Death hath no sting beside ; 
The law gave sin its strength and power; 

But Christ our ransom died. 
The graves of all his saints he blessed, 

"When in the grave he lay ; 
And rising thence, their hopes he raised 

To everlasting day. 
Then joyfully, while life we have, 

To Christ, our life, we'll sing, 
".Where is thy victory, grave? 

And where, O death, thy sting?" 
Psalms, xvi., 10. Thou wilt not leave my soul in 
hell ; (the place of departed spirits) neither wilt thou 
suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 



STOEY 47. 

£§e resurrection of 3esus. 

Matthew, XXVIII. ; Mark, XVI.; Luke, XXIV.; John, XX. 

Our Lord had lain in the grave from Friday 
evening, until early on Sunday morning. Mary 



Page 430. 



Story 47. 




The resurrection of Jesus. 



THE RESURRECTION OF -lESUS. 431 

Magdalen and Mary the mother of Joseph, to- 
gether with Salome, went unto the garden of 
Joseph, before the sun had risen, and took 
with them the spices which they had bought, 
] to embalm the body of Jesus. Whilst they 
were going out, 2 there was a great earthquake, 
and the angel of the Lord came down from 
heaven and rolled the stone away from before 
the supulchre. His countenance shone like 
lightning, and his raiment was white as snow. 
This was the moment of the resurrection. 
s Those who kept watch shook with fright, and 
pale as death, they fled from the sepulchre. 
The women now came unto the grave of our 
Lord ; whilst they were on their way there, they 
had spoken among themselves, as to how they 
might roll away the stone from before the tomb; 
for it was too large for them to move. Now, 
when they looked up, 4 they perceived that the 
stone had already been rolled away. They 
then looked into the grave and found, 5 that the 
body of Jesus had been removed. Mary Mag- 
dalen, at once, hastened back into the city, and 

1 Why did the three women go to the tomb of Jesus early on 
the Sabbath morning ? 

2 What happened, whilst they were going out ? 

3 What happened to those who kept watch ? 

4 What did the women perceive, when they were come to the 
grave of Jesus ? 

6 What did they find ? 



432 THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. 

went unto Peter and John, and said : 6 They 
have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, 
and we know not where they have laid him. 
But the other two women went into the sepul- 
chre, 7 where they saw a young man sitting on 
the right side, clothed in a long white garment; 
and they were greatly affrighted. But the 
angel said unto them ; 8 Be not affrighted ! Ye 
seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified; 
he is risen, he is not here ; behold the place 
where they laid him. But go your way, tell 
his disciples and Peter, that he goeth before 
you into Galilee : there shall ye see him, as he 
said unto you. The women went out quickly 
and fled from the grave ; for they trembled and 
where amazed, and for some time, they said 
nothing about it to any one, for they were 
afraid. As soon as Peter and John received the 
intelligence, brought to them by Mary Magda- 
len they went out unto the sepulchre. John 
hastened forward and arrived there before Peter, 
"and he looked in and saw the grave clothes 
lying on the ground, but he did not enter. 
Thereupon Peter came up, and went at once 

6 What did Mary Magdalen say, therefore, to Peter and 
John, when she came into the city? 

7 What did the other two women see in the sepulchre ? 

8 What did the angel say unto them ? 

9 What did John see, when he came to the tomb ? 



THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. 433 

into the sepulchre, 10 and saw not only the grave 
clothes, but also observed that the napkin 
which had been -bound about our Lord's head, 
was folded together, and laid in a place by it- 
self. That the grave clothes had been really 
removed from our Lord, for some purpose, was 
evident ; but they knew not what it meant, u for 
they did not as yet understand the scripture, 
that he must rise again from the dead ; and 
they left the tomb, and returned unto the city. 
Mary Magdalen, who, in the mean time, had 
returned to the sepulchre, was standing out- 
side as they passed her, but she did not go back 
with them to the city, but remained weeping at 
the entrance. Whilst she was weeping, she 
looked into the tomb, and saw 12 two angels in 
white sitting, the one at the head and the other 
at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 
They asked her : Why weepest thou ? she 
answered them, saying : "Because they have 
taken away my Lord, and I know not where 
they have laid him. And when she had said 
this, she turned around and saw Jesus, but 
knew him not, and thought he was the gard- 

10 What did Peter observe ? 

11 Why did John and Peter not know the meaning of this ? 
n Whom did Mary Magdalen see, as she stood weeping 

before the entrance of the sepulchre ? 

18 What answer did she give the angels, who asked her, why 
■ho wept ? 

37 



434 THE RESTJREECTION OF JESUS. 

ener. "When he asked her : Woman, why 
weepest thou ? Whom seekest thou ? she an- 
swered him, saying : 14 Sir, if thou hast borne 
him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, 
and I will take him away. Thus she was 
mourning for the dead, which was alive again, 
and speaking unto her. The Lord now spake 
unto her, as was his custom before his death, 
saying : Mary ! 15 Now she turned around and 
looked full at him, and recognized him She 
cried out : my Master ! In this moment 
of extacy she was about to throw herself at his 
feet, but the Lord in his wisdom forbade it. He 
wanted to make her comprehend at once, that 
he was not arisen to dwell on the earth as a 
man, nor to continue among his own ; therefore 
he said unto her : 16 Touch me not ; for I 
am not yet ascended to my Father : but go 
unto my brethern and say unto them, that I 
am indeed arisen, but that I shall soon ascend 
unto my Father and your Father, and my God 
and your God. Mary Magdalen came, and told 
the disciples, 17 that she had seen the Lord, and 
that he had spoken these things unto her. The 

14 What did she say unto Jesus, when she thought that he 
was the gardener ? 

15 What happened when the Lord spake unto her the word : 
Mary? 

16 What did the Lord say, when she was about to fall at hin 
feet? 

H What did Mary now tell the disciples of the Lord? 



THE RESU ERECTION OF JESUS. 435 

other women who had come with him from 
Galilee went into the tomb and found it empty. 
Whilst they were troubled about it there came 
to them two men in shining garments, who said 
unto them : 18 Why seek ye the living among 
the dead ? He is not here, he is risen. Remem- 
ber what he said unto you even in Galilee: 
The Son of Man must be delivered into the 
hands of sinners, and be crucified and on the 
third day he will arise. Then they thought 
of his words and went quickly from the sepul- 
chre, with fear and great joy, and did run to 
bring his disciples word. And as they went, 
behold, Jesus met them, saying: 19 A11 hail. 
They went up to him, embraced his feet, and 
fell down before him and worshiped him. Then 
oaid Jesus unto them : 20 Be not afraid : go tell 
my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there 
shall they see me. They did as the Lord had 
directed them, and informed the eleven and 
many other of his friends of what had happened, 
21 but they regarded their words as a fable, and 
did not believe them. 

18 What did the angels say unto the other women, who had 
come with Jesus from Galilee, when they came into the 
sepulchre ? 

19 How did Jesus address them, when he met them on the 
Toad? 

80 "What did he say unto them, when they fell down before him ? 
21 How did the eleven receive the words of these women ? 



<36 



THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. 



In the mean time, 22 some of the watch which 
had been placed near the sepulchre came into 
the city, and informed the chief priests of every- 
thing that had happened. They at once assem- 
bled with the elders, and took counsel together, 
and gave the soldiers of the watch a considera- 
ble amount of money, at the same time saying 
unto them : 23 Say that his disciples came and 
stole him away during the night, whilst we slept. 
24 And if this come to the governor's ears, we 
will persuade him and secure you. So they 
took the money and did as they had been in- 
structed. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. In the grave there is peace. The storms of life 
do not enter therein. May your grave also be a place 
of rest, after a life of usefulness. 

2. "When you visit the grave of some dear friend, 
may the words of faith sound to you like the voice 
of a friendly angel : Seek not the living among the 
dead, but place your trust in a better world, where 
your friend liveth forever. 

3. Think often of your death, but more frequently 
of your resurrection, and so live, that on your awak- 
ening in another world, it may be a moment of joy- 
ful happiness, to you, and to your friends. 

22 Who informed the chief priests in the city, of every thing 
that had transpired, at the grave of Jesus ? 

23 What did the elders say, when they had given the soldiers 
a considerable amount of money ? 

24 What did they promise to do, in case the governor should 
hear of it ? 



CKRIST INSTITUTES BAPTISM. 437 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Christ the Lord is risen to-day, 
Sons of men and angels say : 
Eaise your joys and triumphs high, 
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply. 

Love's redeeming work is done, 
Fought the fight, the victory won : 
Jesus' agony is o'er, 
Darkness veils the earth no more. 

1 Corinthians, xv., 55, 56, 57. — death, where 
is thy sting ? grave, where is thy victory ? The 
sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the 
law. But thanks "be to God, which giveth us the vic- 
tory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 



STORY 48. 

&§rist appeared seoeraf times after Ois resur- 
rection, anb tnstitutetl) t(je rite 
of baptism. 

Matthew, XXVIII. : Mark, XVI. ; Luke, XXIV. : Jonn, XX., 
XXI. 

After his resurrection, our Lord did not show 
himself to his enemies, neither to the high 
priests nor to the elders of the people ; x for they 
would not have believed in him, but would have 
only attempted to persecute him anew. 2 On the 



1 Why did Jesus not show himself unto his enemies after hia 
resurrection ? 

* To whom did he, on the contrary, appear ? 
81* 



438 CHRIST INSTITUTES BAPTISM. 

contrary he appeared unto his disciples and 
unto many that acknowledged him, even on the 
day of his resurrection. 

3 On that same day, two of his friends, went 
to a village called Emmaus, which was distant 
from Jerusalem about three score (sixty) fur- 
longs. They were conversing together about all 
the things that had happened, and it came to 
pass, while they talked with one another, 4 that 
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 
6 but they knew him not. He spake unto them : 
6 What is the subject of your conversation, and 
wherefore are ye sad ? Then one of them, whose 
name was Cleopas, answered him, saying : 7 Art 
thou the only one among the strangers in 
Jerusalem, who does not know what has hap- 
pened there, hereupon he related to Jesus all 
that had happened to him ; then Jesus said unto 
him : 8 How is it that you have so little faith in 
all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not 
Christ to have suffered these things, and to 
enter into his glory? He then began to explain 

8 Whither did two of the friends of Jesus go, on the day of 
his resurrection? 

4 What happened whilst they were talking together about 
these things? 

3 Did the men recognize Jesus ? 

6 How did the Lord address them ? 

7 What answer did Cleopas give him ? 

8 What did the Lord say when Cleopas related to him *P 
that had happened to Jesus 1 



CHRIST INSTITUTES BAPTISM. 439 

to them all tilings in the Scriptures which con- 
cerned himself. In the meantime they came 
unto the village, whither they were going, and 
Jesus was about to leave them as though he 
were going further ; 9 but they invited him and 
pressed him to remain with them, as the day 
was already far spent and evening was coming 
on ; and he remained with them. Now when he 
sat at the table with them, 10 he took bread, 
blessed it, brake it and gave it unto them as he 
had formerly done ; then their eyes were opened, 
and they recognized him; n but he vanished out 
of their sight : Theieupon they said one to 
another: 12 Did not our hearts burn within us, 
whilst he talked with us by the way and ex- 
plained to us the Scriptures, and they rose up 
the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, 13 in 
order to relate these things to his eleven dis- 
ciples. 

They arrived the same evening and found the 
eleven assembled with many other disciples of 
our Lord. As soon as they entered, all who 
were in the room cried out : The Lord is risen 
indeed, and hath appeared to Peter. He had 

9 What invitation did they give Jesus, when they arrived at 
the village ? 

10 What did the Lord do, as he sat at the table with then? ? 

11 What followed, when the men recognized Jesus? 

12 What did they now say to one another ? 

u Why did they arise and return to Jerusalem ? 



440 CHEIST INSTITUTES BAPTISM. 

also revealed himself to him. Hereupon the 
two disciples, related to the others what had 
happened on the road, and how they had recog- 
nized him in breaking the bread. Whilst they 
were still speaking about it, Jesus himself stood 
in the midst of them, saying : 14 Peace be unto 
you. 15 At the same time, he showed them his 
hands and feet, in order to convince them that 
it was he who had been crucified, then the dis- 
ciples were glad that they saw the Lord. But 
Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with them 
when the Lord came ; the other disciples said 
unto him : We have seen the Lord ; but he did 
not believe them, and said : 16 Except I shall see 
on his hands the marks of the nails, and lay my 
hand upon his side, I will not believe. Eight 
days after, Jesus again appeared unto his dis- 
ciples, when they were assembled together, with 
closed doors. On this occasion Thomas was 
present. After the usual salutation : Peace be 
unto you ! he turned to Thomas, and said unto 
him : "Stretch forth thy finger and feel my 

14 How did Jesus speak to his disciples, when he stood in the 
midst of them, as they were assembled that same evening at 
Jerusalem ? 

13 How did he convince them that it was he who had been 
crucified ? 

16 What did Thomas say, when the other disciples told him 
that they 7 jad seen the Lord ? 

17 How did the Lord address Thomas, when he again ap- 
peared unto his disciples, eight days after ? 



CHEIST INSTITUTES BAPTISM. 441 

hand, and stretch forth thy hand and feel m\ 
side ; and be not faithless, but believing. When 
Thomas now cried out with reverence : 18 My 
Lord, and rny God, Jesus said unto him: 
19 Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet 
have believed. 

^The third time that Jesus revealed himself 
to his disciples was at the sea of Galilee. On 
this occasion he asked Simon Peter, the Son of 
Jonas : 21 Dost thou love me ? Peter answered 
him : ^Yea, Lord : thou knowest that I love thee. 
^Jesus repeated this question a second and a 
third time, so that it grieved Peter, and he said 
unto him : ^Lord thou knowest all things ; thou 
knowest that I love thee. By this repeated 
questioning the Lord wished ^to remind him 
gently, of his thrice repeated denial : I know not 
the man. But by always replying to Peter's 
assurance that he loved him with the words : 
Feed my lambs, feed my sheep, Jesus wished to 
make known unto him, 26 that he still regarded 

18 What did Thomas now cry ? 

19 What did Jesus say ? 

20 Where did he reveal himself to his disciples, the third time ? 

21 What question did he put to Peter ? 

22 What answer did Peter give ? 

23 How often did the Lord repeat the same question ? 

24 What did Peter now say ? 

26 Of what did the Lord, by this repeated questioning, wis! 
gently to remind Peter ? 

26 Of what did Jesus assure Peter by the words : Feed my 
lambs, feed my sheep ? 



442 CHRIST INSTITUTES BAPTISM. 

him as his faithful disciple and recognized him 
as his apostle. 

Thereupon the eleven disciples went into 
Galilee, unto a well-known mountain, to which 
Jesus had directed them. 27 More than five 
hundred brethren were gathered together in this 
place, and here the Lord appeared unto them 
again. When they saw him, they fell down be- 
fore him ; but he went unto them, conversed 
with them and said, ^particularly to his disciples : 
All power is given unto me in heaven and 
in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, 
baptising them in the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : teaching them, 
to observe all things whatsover I have com- 
manded you : and lo, I am with you always, 
even unto the end of the world. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Thy sorrowing heart will find peace in Jesus. 
His word refreshes and gives consolation. 

2. In matters of religion we must not be incred- 
ulous ; but give ear to the teachings and doctrines of 
the holy scriptures, without faith in which, we cannot 
hope to attain the experience of their divine power. 

3. Jesus, although invisible to man, is continually 
with those who love him ; but many men, close their 

27 How many brethren were assembled in Galilee, on the 
mountain, when Jesus again appeared unto them ? 

18 Wha j did the Lord say, particularly to his disciples ? 



THE ASCENSION OF JESUS. 443 

hearts against Mm, and therefore, cannot feel his pres- 
ence. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Jesus, where'er thy people meet, 
There they behold thy mercy-seat ; 
Where'er they seek thee, thou art found, 
And every place is hallowed ground. 

For thou, within no walls confined, 
Inhabitest the humble mind; 
Such ever bring thee where they come, 
And going, take thee to their home. 

1 Peter, i., 7, 8. At the appearing of Jesus Christ, 
whom not having seen ye love ; in whom, though 
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy 
unspeakable and full of glory. 



STORY 49. 

Pe ascension of Oesus. 

Mark, XVI. ; Luke, XXIV. ; Acts, I. 

J Our Lord, remained upon earth, only forty 
days after his resurrection, and during this time 
often appeared unto his disciples, but did 
not accompany them constantly, as he had done 
before his death. 2 About the time of the feast 

1 How long did the Lord remain upon earth after his resurrec- 
tion ? 

2 Whither did the disciples go, about the time of the feast of 
Pentecost ? 



Page 444. 



Storv 40. 




The ascension of Jesus. 



THE ASCENSION OF JESUS. 445 

><£ Pentecost, they went out of Galilee unto 
Jerusalem, and here they were to behold the 
Lord for the last time. He appeared unto them 
and after he had spoken to them of the kingdom 
of God, he commanded them, 3 that they should 
not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait, 
until the promise of the Father, which he had 
spoken unto them, was fulfilled. He spake 
unto them, saying : John truly baptized with 
water ; 4 but ye shall be baptized with the Holy 
Ghost not many days hence. He intentionally 
omitted saying anything about his new kingdom ; 
they therefore, thought that he had failed some- 
what in his promise, and said unto him : 5 Lord, 
wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom 
to Israel. But he did not gratify their curiosity, 
but answered : 6 It is not for you to know the 
times or the seasons, which the Father hath put 
in his own power ; but ye shall receive power 
after the Holy Ghost is come upon you ; and ye 
shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem 
and in all Judea, in Samaria, and unto the 
uttermost part of the earth. Whilst he was 
thus conversing with them 7 Jesus had led them 

3 What did the Lord command them, when he appeared unto, 
tfic u in that place ? 

* What did he promise them? 

* What did the disciples ask him? 

* What answer did Jesus make ? 

1 fVhither did he now lead his disciples 1 
38 



446 THE ASCENSION OF JESUS. 

out of Jerusalem, unto Bethany, to the Mount 
of Olives. 8 There he lifted up his hands, and 
after he had blessed them, he departed from 
them ; and a cloud took him from their sight, 
and bore him into heaven. And whilst they 
were looking towards heaven as he went up, 
behold, two men stood by them, in white 
apparel, who said : 9 Ye men of Galilee, why 
stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same 
Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, 
will come again, as ye have seen him go up. 
l0 But they worshipped him, and turned again 
unto Jerusalem with great joy, and were always 
in the temple, praising God. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. Do not seek to learn those things, which God, in 
his wisdom, has concealed from you ; but seek more 
zealously to do those things, which he requires of you. 

2. When we raise our eyes and hearts to heaven, 
in a spirit of faith, we receive promises of comfort and 
support, which speak to us as kindly, as those of the 
two men in white apparel, sounded to the disciples. 

3. Whosoever lives, suffers and dies on earth, accord- 
ing to the instructions of Jesus, will also follow him 
to heaven ; for where the head is, there are the mem- 
bers also. 

8 What happened there? 

9 What did the men in white apparel say, as the disciples 
were looking towards heaven, when Jesus ascended ? 

10 What did the disciples now do? 



THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST. 447 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 
He dies, the Friend of sinners, dies : 

Lo ! Salem's daughters weep around ; 
A solemn darkness veils the skies ; 

A sudden trembling shakes the ground. 

The rising God forsakes the tomb ; 

Up to his Father's court he flies ; 
Cherubic legions guard him home, 

And shout him welcome to the skies. 

Sing, " Live for ever glorious King, 
Born to redeem, instruct and save I" 

Then ask : — " death where is thy sting ? 
And where thy victory, grave ?" 

1 Chronicks, xvii., 12, 13. He shall build me a house 
and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his 
father, and he shall be my son : and I will not take 
my mercy away from him. 



STORY 50. 

£l)e coming of tjje ijofu JJfjost. 

Acts, II. 
2 Nine days after the ascension of Jesus, the 
Jewish Pentecost was held. 2 This was institu- 
ted, in commemoration of the giving of the law 
on Mount Sinai, and was the feast whereby the 

1 How many days after the ascension of Jesus, was the 
Jewish Pentecost held ? 
* Wherefore was this feast instituted ? 



448 THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

Jews celebrated the establishment of their 
religion. God had designedly chosen the 
occasion of this feast, as the day on which the 
disciples of Jesus were to be filled with the 
Holy Ghost, 3 that the many strangers, who 
came to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast, might 
spread the intelligence of the important event 
over all the land. God had already declared, 
by the rending of the vail in the temple, that 
the Jewish religion was to cease. This was 
again made known at the feast of Pentecost, and, 
4 that the faith of salvation through the crucified 
Redeemer of mankind, was established. 

On the day of Pentecost, the apostles and 
other disciples of Jesus, had with one accord, 
assembled in the same place. 5 Suddenly there 
came a sound from heaven as of a rushing 
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where 
they were sitting. At the same time there ap- 
peared unto them, cloven tongues like as of fire, 
which rested upon each of them. They were 
then all filled with the Holy Ghost, and 6 began 
to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave 
them utterance. There were then dwelling at 

3 "Why had the Lord chosen this day, as the one on which the 
disciples were to be filled with the Holy Ghost ? 

4 "What did God make known on this occasion ? 

s What happened on the day of Pentecost, wl en the apostle 
and other disciples of Jesus were assembled ? 
6 What wonderful thing did the apostles do ? 



THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST. 449 

Jerusalem many Jews, devout men, out of every 
nation under heaven. Now when this was ru- 
moured abroad, the multitude came together, and 
were confounded, for every one heard them 
speak in his own language. They were all 
amazed and marvelled, saying one to another : 
'Behold, are not all these which speak, Galileans : 
IIow is it that we hear them speak in our 
tongues, the wonderful works of God ? They 
could not comprehend it, and said : What does 
this mean ? But they, who did not understand 
those foreign languages, mocked the apostles, 
and said : 8 These men are full of new wine. 

9 When this accusation was made, Peter stood 
forth with the eleven, and declared unto them, 
that the promise of the Lord was now fulfilled, 
and said, among other things : Be it known unto 
the whole house of Israel, that God hath made 
that Jesus, whom ye crucified, both Lord and 
Saviour. This was the first sermon of the 
gospel, which was preached, and it was so 
blessed by God, 10 that on that day, three thou- 
sand souls were converted, and added to the 
congregation of Jesus. 

7 What did the multitude say, when every one heard them 
speaking in his own language ? 

8 What did they say who mocked at the apjstle? 

9 What did Peter do, when this accusation was made ? 

10 How was the first sermon of the Gospel blessed by God ? 
38* 



450 THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostlea 
in the form of flames of fire. This is a beautiful 
symbol ; for fire gives light and warmth. Thus the 
Holy Spirit, enlightens the darkened understanding 
of man, by its truth, and gives warmth to our cold 
hearts, by its love. 

2. The greatest change took place in the apostles. 
Whosoever hath received the Holy Ghost will expe- 
rience the same ; for he becomes a new being. 

3. The Apostles preserved the gift of the Holy 
Spirit by purity of heart. For in their high calling 
they forgot all things earthly. You must also be 
careful to preserve every emotion of the Divine 
Spirit, which bringeth salvation, and do not permit 
yourself to be deceived by worldly things. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

Go forth, ye heralds, in my name, 
Sweetly the gospel trumpet sound : 

The glorious jubilee proclaim, 

Where e'er the human race is found. 

The joyful news to all impart, 

And teach them where salvation lies ; 

With care bind up the broken heart, 
And wipe the tears from weeping eyes. 

Be wise as serpents, where you go, 
But harmless as the peaceful dove ; 

And let your heaven-taught conduct show 
That ye're commissioned from above. 



THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN. 451 

John, xvi, 13. — Howbeit when he, the spirit of 
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. 



STORY 51. 

%{)t jftartgrbom of 5tep§en. 

Acts, VI., VII. 
By the teaching of the apostles of our Lord, 
who were filled with the Holy Spirit, the Chris- 
tian congregation at Jerusalem increased to such 
a number, that it was found necessary to ap- 
point certain men to take charge of the affairs 
of the poor. The disciples, therefore, caused 
seven men to be elected from the congregation. 
Among these was Stephen, 3 a man full of faith 
and strength, who performed wonders and mira- 
cles among the people. Many of the Jewish 
synagogue, which taught in Jerusalem were 
angry at these things, and commenced a learned 
disputation with him. But as they were not 
able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by 
which he spake, 2 they suborned men to bear 
witness, that he had blasphemed against Moses, 
and against God. They hereby stirred up the 
people and the elders and the scribes, and they 
caught him and brought him before the council. 

1 What kind of a man was Stephen? 

2 Who did the Jewish teachers suborn, to bear witness against 
Stephen f 



452 THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN. 

Now there stepped forth false witnesses, which 
said : 3 This man ceaseth not to speak blasphe- 
mous words against the holy city, the temple 
and the law, for we have heard him say that 
this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, 
and shall change the customs which Moses de- 
livered to us. All that sat in the council looked 
on him, and saw his face shining like the 
countenance of an angel. Then spake the 
high priest, saying : Are these things so ? But 
Stephen spake unto them, and said : 4 Men, breth- 
ren and fathers, harken unto me. He there- 
upon preached a long sermon unto them, in 
which he showed them that God had been kind 
to his people from the beginning, and that Israel 
had been so ungrateful. At length he said : Ye 
stiff-necked, ye do always resist the Holy 
Ghost, even as your fathers did. Which of the 
prophets have not your fathers persecuted ? They 
have slain them which foretold the coming of 
the Just One, of whom ye have been now the 
betrayers and the murderers. Ye have received 
the law and have not kept it. When they 
heard these things, 5 they were enraged and 

3 What did the false witnesses say the before council ? 

4 What answer did Stephen make, when the high priest asked 
him : Are these things so ? 

5 What impression did Stephen's discourse make upon his 
enemies? 



THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN. 453 

gnashed their teeth. But he, being full of the 
Holy Ghost looked up into heaven, and saw 
the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the 
right-hand of God, and said : 6 Behold, I see the 
heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing 
on the right hand of God. 7 Then they cried 
out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, ran 
upon him with one accord and cast him out of 
the city, to stone him. But the witnesses, who 
had borne false testimony against him 8 and were 
obliged to cast the first stone at him, 9 came, and 
laid their garments which they had taken off, at 
the feet of a young man named Saul, who was 
well pleased at Stephen's death. Whilst they 
were stoning him, he said : Lord Jesus, receive 
my spirit. And he knelt down and cried aloud. 
Lord, lay not this sin to their charge ! And 
when he had said this he fell asleep. Hereupon 
devout men buried Stephen, and made great 
lamentation over him. 

USEFUL LESSONS. 
I. The countenance of the righteous can shine with 
the glory of an angel's, in the midst of persecutors 
and blood-thirsty judges; for the just man is com- 
forted even in death. 

6 What did Stephen say, when he looked up to heaven ? 
" What did his enemies then do ? 

8 What were the witnesses, wl o had borne false testimony 
against Stephen, obliged to do ? 

9 Where did they lay their garments ? 



454 THE CONVERSION OF PAUL. 

II. Stephen, the first of the martyrs, willingly 
sacrificed his blood and his life, in the cause of Christ, 
Bring to Him a similar offering, by turning from the 
paths of sinfulness. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

grant me love and faith to live, 
E'en as the holy saints of yore, 
heaven, I pray, that strength to give, 
Such as the martyred heroes bore. 
If aught should tempt my soul to stray 
From heavenly virtue's narrow way, 
Still he, who felt temptation's power 
Shall guard me in that dangerous hour. 

Bomans, viii., 38, 39. — For I am persuadsd that 
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, 
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 
nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall 
be able to separate us from the love of God which is 
in Jesus Christ our Lord. 



STORY 52. 

&(je conoerston of JTauf. 

Acts, IX., XXII., and XXVI. 

Paul, that most zealous and holy apostle of 
our Lord, *was first called Saul, and was the 
same young man, 2 who had delighted in the 

1 How wa3 the apostle Paul first called ? 
* With what had he been delighted ? 



Page 455. 



Story 52. 




The conversion of Paul. 



456 THE CONVEKSION OF PAUL 

death of Stephen. He had been a rigid Phari- 
see and had everywhere persecuted the Chris- 
tians : 3 for he disturbed the congregations, went 
about from house to house, taking out men and 
women, and casting them into prison. Whilst he 
was thus waging war and destruction against the 
disciples of the Lord, 4 he went to the high priest 
and desired letters from him to the chief of the 
synagogues at Damascus, that, if he found any of 
those who acknowledged the doctrines of Jesus, 
he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 
5 When he came near to Damascus, sudden- 
ly there shone around him a light from 
heaven, and he fell to the earth, and he heard a 
voice saying unto him : Saul, Saul, why persecu- 
test thou me ? He was frightened and answered : 
6 Who art thou, Lord ? The voice replied : 7 I 
am Jesus, whom thou persecutest : it is hard 
for thee to try to oppose me. With trembling 
and amazement, Saul asked : 8 Lord, what wilt 
thou have me to do? The Lord answered him, 
saying: 9 Arise, go into the city and it shall be 

3 How did he persecute the Christians ? 
* What did he do, whilst he was waging war and destruction 
ugainst the disciples of the Lord ? 

6 What happened to him, on his journey to Damascus ? 

8 What answer did he make to the voice which he heard? 

7 What answer did he now receive? 

8 What did he ask, with trembling and amazement ? 

9 What answer did the Lord make ? 



THE CONVEKSION" OF PAUL. 457 

told thee, what thou must do. But the men 
which journeyed with him stood speechless, 
10 hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Saul arose 
from the earth, n and when he opened his eyes 
he could see nothing. Then his companions 
took him by the hand, 12 and led him into De- 
mascus, where he was three days without sight, 
during which time he neither ate nor drank. 
There was at that time, a disciple of Jesus, 
named Ananias, at Damascus, to whom the 
Lord spake in a vision, saying : Ananias ! He 
answered : Behold, I am here, Lord. And the 
Lord said unto him : 13 Arise, and go into the 
street, which is called Straight, and inquire in 
the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus : 
for behold he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision 
a man called Ananias coming in, and putting 
his hand on him that he might receive his sight. 
But Ananias answered : 14 Lord, I have heard 
from many, how much evil this man hath done 
to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here also he 
hath authority from the chief priests, to bind 
all that call oivthy name. But the Lord said 



10 "Why were the men, which accompanied Saul, speechless? 

11 What happened, when Saul arose and opened his eyes? 

12 Whither did his companions lead him ? 

13 What did the Lord say to Ananias, a disciple of Jesus, in 
B, vision ? 

14 What answer did Ananias make ? 

39 



458 THE CONVEESION OF PAUL. 

unto him : 15 Go thy way ; for he is a chosen 
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the 
Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. 
10 Ananias departed immediately, and went into 
the house, and putting his hands on him, said : 
"Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that ap- 
peared unto thee on thy way, as thou earnest 
hither, hath sent me that thou mightest receive 
thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 
18 Im mediately, there fell from his eyes, as it had 
been scales ; and he received his sight forthwith, 
and was baptized. 19 Thereupon he began at 
once to preach in the synagogues, that Christ 
was the Son of God. 20 A11 the Christians 
were astonished and marvelled at this, and in 
the beginning would not trust him; neverthe- 
less he became one of the most active disciples 
of our Lord, and could, with truth, say : 21 I have 
labored more abundantly than they all ; how- 
ever, he at once added, in the deepest humility : 
22 But it is not I but the grace of God that is in me. 



>s What did the Lord again answer ? 

16 How did Ananais follow the instructions of the Lord? 

17 What did he say to Saul? 

18 What happened after Ananias had spoken ? 

19 What did Paul now do ? 

Vo How did the Christians at first regard Paul's conversion ? 
S1 What was Paul enable to say with truth, after he had be 
come one of the most active disciples of our Lord ? 
82 What did he at once add, in the deepest humility ? 



THE CONVERSION OP PAUL. 459 



USEFUL LESSONS. 

1. The voice of the Lord spake: Saul, Saul, why 
persecutest thou me? Whosoever does wrong or out- 
rage to his neighbor, persecutes Jesus ; but he will 
find it difficult to rebel against the Lord. 

2. Paul answered without hesitation : Lord, what 
wilt thou have me to do ? When the Lord by some 
special revelation, awakens a knowledge of his glory 
in our hearts, we must not let that knowledge pass 
away, but should unhesitatingly obey the divine will. 

3. Ananias said : Brother, the Lord hath sent me. 
If it is in your power to assist in the salvation or 
improvement of a, sinner by kind words and im- 
pressive admonitions, consider that the Lord hath 
sent you, and do not fail to accomplish his honourable 
commission. 

PIOUS THOUGHTS. 

When sheep have wandered from the herd, 
The faithful watcher guides them home : 

So Christ, who ne'er forgets his word, 
Turns sinners to a world to come, 

He takes their sins and makes them pure, — 

Then leads them o'er a path secure. 

Isaiah, lxv., 1. — I am found of them that sought 
me net. 



A BKIEF HISTOEY 

OF 

THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 



We have already told our young readers much, in the Biblical 
Stories, of the religious condition of the first men, and of their 
gradual improvement ; but religion, after the appearance of 
Jesus, as a divine teacher, changed its aspect altogether ; his 
teaching did not refer to the outward service, but to the strict 
fulfilment of the will of God. Jesus had not yet formed an 
actual community, but had only gathered around himself, a few 
men, who were ready to receive his doctrines, and with whom 
he entered into a closer connection. Notwithstanding this, as 
early as the first Whitsuntide, the first Christian community 
was formed in Jerusalem ; afterwards, several others sprung up, 
of which we shall only mention that of Antiochus, in Syria, 
because it consisted of Jews and Heathens, and here the dis- 
ciples and believers in Christ were first called " Christians." 

§ 2. 

By degrees, the first Christians were compelled, by hatred and 
persecution, to form a separate society, and in fact, to live as 
one family. The common use of their property, was nothing 
singular among them, and Christianity was not a dead letter 
with them. This community of property, however, only existed 
in Palestine. For want of public places of worship, they 
assembled in their dwellings to worship God, and concluded his 
divine service by the partaking of the Lord's Supper. At the 
times of the apostles already the first day of the week, or 
Sunday, was selected for the public service of God ; but the 
(460) 



461 

celebration of the Jewish Sabbath was still continued for a 
long time. Of the Jewish Passover the Christians availed 
themselves, to renew the remembrance of the death and resur- 
rection of Christ ; they spent the whole week, in which Jesus 
had suffered and died, in pious, devotional exercises. Later, in 
places where they found sufferance, they built themselves houses 
of prayer ; where, however, no pomp or splendor was allowed to 
intrude. Sometimes when they were persecuted, they held their 
meetings in forests, or other solitary places. How much happier 
are we, and should we not be ever grateful to God for our 
advantages ? 

§3. 

The apostles honestly continued the edifice, to which Jesus 
had laid the foundation. The old testament remained the basis 
of their teaching, until by degrees, the writings of the other 
Christian teachers appeared, but whose complete collection had 
not then been thought of. At their divine service, a part of 
the holy scriptures, and later, of the book of some pious man 
was read, prayers were said, the Lord's supper was administered, 
and psalms or hyms were sung. This arrangement continued 
for the first three hundred years. The elders of the Christian 
communities gained so great an ascendency, that they were 
intrusted with the religious affairs of the whole society ; whence 
they afterwards obtained the name of bishops, that is, super- 
intendents. As they were also judges of moral matters, they 
had a right to exclude from the society, persons who appeared 
dangerous to them. 

It might have been supposed, that the first Christians, who 
distinguished themselves so advantageously by their character, 
and by no means infringed upon the civil constitution, would have 
found no opposition. But in the very beginning they had hard 
struggles with the Jews, which caused the Heathen governments 
to become suspicious of the Christians. Almost all the apostles 
died a. violent death. Stephen was the first of the Christian 
martyrs, who sealed a confession of their faith with their blood. 
Notwithstanding his honest and faultless character, he was 
39* 



462 

atoned to death, and paid with his life for his zeal in the cauBe 
of Christianity. 

\ 5. 

The Christians had settled here and there in populous cities, 
and were not particularly noticed in the great crowd. Half a 
century had expired when the attention of the governments 
was directed towards them. The rapid growth of this sect, as 
the Christians were then called, induced the rulers to oppose 
them. Now an unhappy period commenced for the Christians ; 
they were cruelly persecuted by the Heathens. Paul and Peter, 
both were killed, in the persecution of the community of 
Christians, which had been formed in Rome ; the former was 
beheaded about the year sixty-seven, the latter was crucified. 
But notwithstanding all these oppressions, the Christians did 
not waiver in their faith ; firmly, steadfastly, they suffered even 
death. 

8 6. 

The dissolution of the Jewish state in the year seventy, after 
Christ, was for his followers of great importance. They had 
no longer to fear the Jews, and these were no longer able to 
traduce them with the Heathen governments. The noble 
principles of the Christians, by degrees, became better known, 
and furthered the extension of Christianity. All the persecu- 
tions were not able to lame the courage of the Christians ; on 
the contrary their religious enthusiasm increased daily, and 
inspired even their opponents with respect for a creed, for the 
sake of which, its adherents suffered the most exquisite tortures. 
Many hearts were gained for the new doctrine, and notwith- 
standing the severest oppression, the number of Christiana 
increased. 

8 7. 

After many hard trials, better times dawned upon the 
Christians. The Roman Emperor Constantine, in the year 306, 
took the Chi'istians under his protection against their enemies, 
and was himself baptized shortly before his death. He caused 
splendid churches to be built, and Heathen temples to be 



463 

changed into Christian houses of worship. The external 
worship increased in splendor, but the simple spirit which had 
so greatly distinguished the first Christians, and the purity of 
their heart and uprightness of life, decreased as the ceremonies 
grew in magnificence. Under the government of Julian, who 
was an enemy to Christianity, offeriugs were again brought upon 
the altars of the idols. This emperor, however, died in the 
third year of his reign, and his successor favored the Christians 
so much, that their consequence increased daily, at the expense 
of Heathendom. 

2 8. 

Many Jews and Heathens having become Christians, several 
parties. and sects arose. Constantine had done much to benefit 
Christianity, and most zealously advocated a quiet observation 
of the Sabbath, free from all the turmoil of business, but also 
many a superstitious custom was introduced among the Chris- 
tians. The churches were ornamented with images, veneration 
was paid and prayers addressed to them ; the bones of martyrs 
and other remnants were collected; miraculous power was 
attributed to them, and they became objects of commerce. 
Under the pretext of serving God in solitude, several individuals 
withdrew from human society, lived in a state of celibacy, 
voluntarily renounced all the innocent pleasures of life, under- 
went severe penances, and built for themselves dwellings, which 
they afterwards called cloisters, whilst they named themselves 
monks, (persons living in solitude,) and nuns, (mothers.) At 
the same time it became customary to travel to the places and 
graves of such persons as had either died as martyrs, or were 
recognized by the Christian church as saints. These pilgrimage? 
were looked upon as extremely meritorious. 

3 9 

Already during the reign of Constantine, the importance of 
the bishops had. considerably increased ; later there were two, 
who made greater pretensions than any others, namely, the Bishop 
of Constantinople and the one of Rome. Neither would yield 
to the other; but after many disputes, the Bishop of Romp 
maintained his superiority, as from that place, the extension of 



464 

Christianity was principally effected, and Rome itself was then 
the most famous city in the world. To distinguish him from 
other bishops, the Roman bishop took the name of pope, (papa) 
that is father, and ultimately, princes, kings and emperors had 
to bow down before the papal power. The popes were believed 
to have a right to give and take crowns and lands, and preten- 
ded, that as the visible representatives of God, their decisions 
should be equal to the divine revelation. 

UO 

In the year 622, after Christ, there was founded in Asia, a 
new religion, the Mohammedan. Mohammed, an Arabian 
merchant passed himself off for a prophet, who wished to con- 
vert his countrymen from idolatry to the veneration of the only 
God. As he availed himself of the writings of the Jews and 
Christians, his doctrines in the Koran sometimes agree with 
those of the Bible. Mohammed finding that resistance was 
offered to the spreading of his doctrines, drew the sword, and 
conquered many countries. His successors continued the wars 
with good fortune, and also subjugated Palestine, the land in 
which Jesus had lived and suffered, 

211. 

No penance, besides endowments of churches and convents, 
was considered more meritorious than a pilgrimage to Jerusa- 
lem. The Christians felt an irresistible desire to see the spot, 
where the Saviour of the world, whilst on the earth, had lived, 
the place where he had died, and the grave where his body had 
been laid, and there to worship. But when the news reached 
Europe, that the Christian pilgrims were ill-treated by the 
Mohammedan Arabs and Turks, the pope tried to induce 
European princes, at the head of their people, to go to the 
Land of Promise, and by force of arms to wrest these venerable 
places from the Infidels. These savage wars, known as the 
Crusades, conticuedfor nearly two hundred years, (from 1095 to 
1291) and more than seven millions of men lost their lives 
through them. Palestine remrinedinthe hands of the Infidels. 



465 



?12; 

In the Twelfth century., 1180, a merchant of Lyons in Fiance, 
named Peter Waldus by the reading of the Bible, obtained a 
better idea of the principles of Christianity, proved the invalidity 
of papal superiority and insisted upon better morals. Subse- 
quently, the adherents of his doctrines had to suffer much, and 
in. 1345 several hundreds emigrated and settled in Wurtemburg, 
where they were allowed to live undisturbed. In 1360 John 
Wickliffe, teacher of divinity at Oxford, in England, followed in 
the path of Waldus ; he translated the Bible into the English 
language and attacked the power of Popedom and the reigning 
vices. One of his pious successors was John Huss, teacher and 
professor at Prague, who forfeited his life, by the confession of 
evengelical truths ; he was burned alive in 1415; at Constance, 
during a convention of the church. His friend, Jerome of Prague, 
was also taken and burned in 1416. 

§13. 

Though many were afraid, openly to avow their opinion, yet 
divine providence lent victory to truth. When the Domimican 
monk John Tetzel, in the Sixteenth century, carried on his 
infamous trade with indulgences, Doctor Martin Luther, Pro- 
fessor at the University of Wirtemburg, came out against it. In 
the beginning his zeal was only directed against papal indul- 
gences, and a few other very striking abuses in the church; 
gradually as his knowledge of holy writ became more correct 
and distinct, he progressed in his researches and open confessions 
of the truth, and partly himself, partly by his assistants, among 
whom the learned, pious and peaceful Melancthon, particularly 
distinguished himself, proved in sermons and writings, that the 
Bible alone and not the standing of human teachers ought to 
govern us in our creed ;' that according to the Bible there was 
no other forgiveness of sin, than by conversion from sin unto 
God, through an honest belief in the Saviour of the world, in the 
power of the Holy Ghost. These principles were also acknow^ 
ledged by Zwingly and Calvin, teachers in Switzerland ; and 
were spread by them in their neighborhood. 



466 
8U 

In the year 1521, Luther was summoned before the Diet at 
Worms. As he did not consent to recall his doctrines, but on 
the contrary defended them manfully, the emperor declared him 
under a ban. At castle Wartburg, where his elector had 
him secretly conducted, he translated the Bible into Ger- 
man, which was read with avidity. The followers of Luther, at 
the Diet of Speier, protested against several of the decrees made 
against them, and thence obtained the name of Protestants. 
Although the confession of their faith was publicly read at 
Augsburg in 1530, they did not yet enjoy the free and undis- 
turbed exercise of their creed. Luther died in 1546, and not 
until after a six years' religious war, which broke out in 1547, did 
the Protestants, whose number kept on increasing, enjoy any 
tranquillity. This lasted until 1618, when the thirty years' war 
commenced, which proved the destruction of the wealth of 
many states and nations, and which terminated in 1648, entirely 
in favor of the Protestants by the peace of Westphalia. They 
now enjoyed equal rights and privileges with the Catholics, and 
since that time, their liberty of conscience and faith has never 
been publicly attacked. 

It is true, and will remain true, what Jesus says : Heaven 
and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away. 



aSerlag Hon 3. <$M)Ier, 

Pk 911 %xd) Strafje, pUabclpfjia, ^a, 



SBiGd, ncuc flrofjc $radji=5l!!gna6c Jscr fjcth'gcn ©djrtft. ©rcf 

Quurt^orniat mit gro(5cm £rucf. Q.h-ci3 : 
9io. 0. SBtlltgc 2lu<-gabe mt't jtoct ©taljlftidjcn, fdjb'n unb 

ftarf in Scter gcbunten $7 oo 

iRo. A. 5ftit 26 23it?crn, ebcni'o gcbunben 8 00 

9?«.0B. g»it 26 SBilbem, tit 9J?arocco mit ©olbfdnutr, 

Jfiidcn- unb ©cttenserqolbung eiufad) 10 00 

9h>. C. sfflit 26 Silbern, in TOarocco, fftixdtn unb ©eiten »oU 

bcrgolbct 12 00 

9?o. 1. Sluf feinem toeifjcm papier, fdjb'n unb fiar? in Scber 

gebunben 10 00 

9?o. 1 A. 3n 9J?arocco gcbunten mit ©olb|d;nitt, Stucfen- unb 

©eitensergclcting einfad) 12 00 

<fto. 1 B. 3n SOJarocco, Sftiicfen unb ©eifen *oH ocrgelbet 15 00 

9?o. 1 C. ©uperfein tiirfifdb, Sftarocco, einfacb 18 00 

9?o. 1 D. bo., bo., STiiicfcn unb £etfcn boll unb fctn ttergolbet 20 00 
9Jo. 2. Sluf feinftcm Scnpaptcr (tinted paper), fdjbn unb 

ftart in Seber gebunben 12 00 

9lo. 2 C. ©uperfein ad)t Htrfifd) Warocco, einfad) 20 00 

9io. 2 D. bo. bo. Siucfcu unb ©ecfen fctn aergolbct Q&vtptr* 

ertra 25 00 

Set SefteUungcn roirb gebetcn, anjugeben ob bie 23ibcin „mit" ober 
„o^ne ©dilofi" gcliefcrt tocrtcn follcn. 

NB. — ©tal)lftit|)c, 23ilber, cinen pradituoflm Stt'tel in garbenbrucf, 
55j)otograpl)--.Sartcii fur 16 Stlbcr entbalt jebe S3ibcl, con gcn>bt)nlid;en 
bis jum feinften ©inbanb, »on 9to. 1 big 9io. 2 D. 

©cit 3af)rcit tourbe bicfc 2lu3gabe mit sielcm gleife uorbcreitet, urn 
fte ben beften SibelauSgabcn toiirbig an bie ©cite ftellcn ju fb'nncn. 
Die et'njelnen $8iid;er ter fjciligcn ©cbrtft finb mit (§ t n I e 1 1 u n g eti 
ijerfefyen toorben, rocldje alien 23ibeUc[crn fcccbft totllfommen fein toer* 
ben. SDie S a p i t e I = U e b e r f d) r i f t c n finb grojjtentfyctig genauer 
unb ausfitbjlidjer nad) bent Snlialte bcr dapitcl geftellt toorben. 2iuf 
bie 55a ra II el ft ell en, tocldje, roenn fie nad) ben redjtcn ©cficbjfr* 
punften jnfammengefteitt roerben, fo bid jurn Serftanbnijj bcr fyetltgen 
©thrift teitragen, ift befonbercr glci§ oerroenbet roorben unter Scnujj* 
ung ber beften £)ulf»mtttel unb bcfonberS bcr in bicfer £infid;t toor« 
treflidjen ocrbefferten 25ibe!ubcrj"etnmg uon 9t. ©tier. 2ludj finb 
bem fUltett unb bem ?teucn Scftamente einlcitenbe 2Jemer= 
f u n g e n tcrangcidjidt, tceldje bie toeientlidjjien ©cftdjt^punfJe fur bie 
Setradjtung bciber Jcftamente t)croorl)cben. Urn bem son mandjen 
©eiten geaufjerten 9Bun|cbe ju ent|prcd;cn, fiigte bie s^erlagSljanblung 
ben Slpofr^pben bc3 Ullten £e[iameiU3 nod) cinen befonberen 2Inl)ang 
bet. 2lud) ein beigegebencs 51 e g t ft e r altbeuifdjcr ober fonft frcmber 
SBbrter unb ein njcitlaujtges 3{cgtfter bcr xo id; tig ft en Se- 
ar t f f e, cine Soncorbanj, fotote bie ® e f cb, i d) t e ber 3 c r " 
Mtunfl 3erufalem'gu. 24. ttirb bagu teitragen, ben SiJertfi 



2 3. flo bler'S 23 erlag. 

biefer neuen SBibelauSgabe ju erftoben, bie fid? uor bet QSerglctifcung mil 
jcber anberen aug ber altcn ober ncum 2Bc!t nidjt git fiircbten t»at. 

£ie SEerlaggbanblung bat »erfud)t, in aufjerer 2lu$ftattung ba3 
9?iit?lid)e mit 'rem Mngenefynen ^u mbinben. £ie 23ucbfiabcn finb 
Ben pct)i?n'ner ®rb'jje aucb fiir minber ftavfe 2lngen, unb son reinem, 
flarcm Sdiniit. 21uf jecer Seite ftntet fid) Slngabe beg bitreffenben 
EapitelS unb |>auviintyaite3. 

<£o bihfen voir bejfen, un3 bet ben bermalen fo enormen Soften brr 
§crftc£lung etneg foldjen SBerfcS unb bet cinem fo grofjartigen Unter- 
nebmen burcb bie Saujcnbe son Sibclfrcunbcn h>eit nnb breit im \;anbe 
ermutoigt J« feben. 

8v5?f" «£>err gjrof. Dr. 2B. 3- 9ft a nn ftat btc £crau$gabe bc3 gan- 
jen SBerfcg gelcitet unb fiir bie $.\iralle!ftcllen :c, wntei i3cnut)ung tstr 
Deficit sor&antcnen £>ulf3inittel, ©orge getragen. 

8>olf8'S3il5cr=SibcI r bie grofje VUIgemeiue, ober bie aanje fteil. 
©cbrift beg SHtcn unb 9tcucnj£cframcnf3, nacb Dr. 5Jfar- 
tiit i'utbcr'S Urbcrfe^ung. ©iebtnte <Stcrroh;p=2lu£gabe 
mit feunbert fd'onen in ten £crt cingebrudten Slbbilbun- 
gen, burc^gangigcr 9?anbeinfaffung nub j»ei (stablfltdjen. 
Sin grofjir Quarto=33flnb, feiib in ganj Seber gcbuuben, 

febon flcprcgr nnb mit X eppt If cb f tcflctt verftben $7 50 

3mmttation«fKarocco, mit ®olb|"dmitt 9 UO 

Siufiftf) 9Jcarccco, »oll mgolbct, mit ©olbfa)tutt..... 12 00 

bo. bo. extra feitt 15 00 

83oIf£»23tU)cr=S3ibcI f Heine, ober bie ganje beilige Sdrrift beg 
211 ten unb ?(cuen HeframciU;?, nacb, ber teuticben Ueberfcjji- 
ung Dr. Martin Sutler's. 2Rit bunbrrtjebonrn in ten 
£crt cingebrudten 2!bbiln:ngcn unb jroci ©tabjftt'djen, auf 
fcineS rocijjcS papier gebrurft. Xer Tnid empficblt fid; 
burcb ieine Xeutlicfcfcit unb 3Wnr/cit, unb lagt in 23e- 
jug auf Sorrectbeit nidjta ^u wihifcbcn itbrig. Dcta»- 
SBanb, fcbb'it in geprcfjtes 2eb« gebuuben, obne Sdjliejjcn.. $3 00 
bo. bo. mit Scbjicjjen... 3 50 

3mmitatir-n»9J?arocco, mit ®olbfcbnitt 4 00 

SLiirftfcb SRarocco, mit ©oibfcbmtt 5 00 

bo. bo. soil »ergolbet, fcin mit ©ofbfdjnitt 6 UO 

£iei"e jrcei Slitfgaben ber Sibc! icidjuen fid) befonberg burd) feltene 

bollftanbigfcit nus?, tnbem fie cie 2l&orrsphcn ganj, bann bag brittc unb 

bierte SBucb, E$ra, bag brittc 23ttcb bcr'SUinccabacr unb bie ^crftbrung 

Scrufalemg t>on 3p|rpbns5 glatiiug entljaltcn, rocld;e grbfjteutbeilg in 

Bitbcrcn 53ibcl-'2Juagabcn feblen. 

The Holy Bible Royal Quarto Bible. With References 
iu the Centre of the Page the Text Comformable to 
the Standard of the American Bible Society. Con- 
taining Apocrypha, Concordance, Psalms in Metre, 
various Tables, Engravings and Family Record. 
Photograph Record for 16 Cards. 

No. 1. Roan marble edges $6 00 

No. 2. Turkey Morocco, gilt edges gilt sides, 10 00 

No. 3. Turkey Morocco, gilt edges full gilt sides, extra 12 00 

N&. 4. Turkey Morocco super extra, full gilt 15 00 

Clasped for 25 cts., 50 cts. and $J oo 



3. fto$Ier'« SerUg. 3 

Sfidjncr'S, M. ©ottfrteb, biblifdje Steal- unb 25erial»$ttnb- 
Soncorbanj. <Durd)gcjcr;en unb berbcffert son Dr. $tin» 
rid) Sconfyarb £eubner. SJctt etncr 3>orrcbe son Dr. $f)t- 
lipp <£d)ajf, unb ctncm $lnbang ton 8060 23ibelftetlen 
sermebjt »on ^aftor 21. Spatb. Die alte Siic&ner'i'c&e 
Soncorcanj in ibrcr fpatcrcn 33earbeitung Bon Dr. £>. 2, 
£eubner ift ein fo *>ortreffiid)cS unb toefylbefannteg 23ud), 
fca| ju ibrcr t£mpfet)lung fcin SUort ju ' fagen noting ift. 
$cin 5-Vetiger, 2et)rcr, <Ecnntag£fd)utlcfyrcr unb fleijjiger 
<Scbriftlcfcr (oflte obne btcfe Soncoroanj fcin. ©te tnift 
if)tn jtU SBtbclftclle, auS ter er fid) nur eincS SDortcg er* 
tnnert, futben. <?ie gtebt ibjn einen Uebcrblicf iiber Sitles, 
roa$ bie fycilige <S drift iiber irgcnb eincn ©cgcnftane Ictjrt. 
<g>ie crfldrt fdmnttlicbe in bcr edjrift sorfcmnunbe SBorte 
unb gtebt cine bcutfdje Ueberfegung bcr ^cfcratfcben unb 
griccf/ifdjen ©igennamcn. <2ie butct eine furje fa§lid)e 
Slu^legung bev fdjanerigeren 33tbclfteKen, unb i fir baturd) 
ein unentbcbrlicbcr Scbafj fiir jeben Siebtjabcr unb gorfdjer 
ber bfiligen <Edrift. 2)a3 SBcrf t|l ndmltd) in jctjn mo« 
natlidicn £icferungcn son je 120 ^citcn grop 3tcyal=Dc= 
tab auf fd)b'nem rocijjem papier rrfdnencn. 

$rete bev Ciefcrung, in Umfcblng brocbirt 50 

9?o. 1. Somplcte drcmplare, febbn in balb 3m. 2}?arocco 

gcbunben $6 00 

9lo. 2. ©anj m £eber gebunben, gcpre§te £eden u. Stiicfen 6 50 

9co. 3. gen, in batb extra tiirfiid) TOarocco 6 50 

2lnr;ang ju 33ficbncrt Soncorbanj, fcparat, brocbirt 50 



<&vbauun3&buchev, 

8Intbt'#, 3., fed)3 Slicker com roabjen Gfjriftentrjum, nebji 
bem Cebcn be3 feligen Slutorg unb beffen ^arabie^gartlein, 
aucb bie Sonu- unb Sctevtag»--&»angelien unb Spifteln, 
mit 66 $oIj|dmitten. Ouartformat. ©anj in £eber ge^ 

bunben unb Doppclfdiliejjen $5 00 

2le#t SWarocco, mit ©olbt'dntitt, fcin sergolbet 8 00 

Sirttfct, 3. Stefelbe 2lu3gabe auf biaigem papier, gut geb... 3 50 
2)iefe3 i»ot)Ibcfanntc 2Berf empfteblt fid) aUu\ cbriftlidien £efcrn, bie 

nur evnigen SBertb. auf acbte grommtgfeit legen, burcb feinen einfadjen 

unb einbringenben ^tpi, unb burcb tie roarme unb berjiicbe 2lnbad)t 

unb Stebe, bie fid? au3 jebem Sapitel biefc$ fd)bnen SEBerfeg abfpiegclt. 

GS eignet fid) ganj au^gejeidnet oiS ein gamilienbud), roorau^ fid) je- 

ber gamilieufreis cibaucn unb belctjren fonn. 
Sin 2£erf btcfer 2(rt ift befonber^ geeignct, bie ©ad)e be3 d'd)ten 

6r)riftentt)um$ ju befbrbcrn. 
S)tefc0 SBerf ift nod) bebeutcnb »ergrb§crt burd) ben 2inf)ang bet 

jtebenunb^roanjig geiftlidien Senbbriefe be^ fcl. SJerfaffer^ bie b£3 jc^t 

nod) in gar Jeiner anberen 2ius3gabe eut^alten finb. 

gamtlien=@e6etfiuiij jum $au0-©otteeb{enp. 3n 5Ku^?n 

gebunben. ...*... 50 



©IetifintfTe, $te r ie8 £?ernt, fiir ®c&ule tmb £au3. Dcfabo, 

mtt 3D ^oljfc^nitten, fcbon gebunben, fcbmarj.. 20 

£>ie|'elbett, bo. co.lorivt 30 

©flfjner, ^oljanne?, <?cbafcfafid)en, entftaltcnb btblltfcbe 2?e- 
tracbtunciett, mtt erbauiicbeu i'tebern auf atte Stage im 
Sabre, jut Sefb'rbenmg hau>Micber2lnbacbt uub ©ottfeltg* 

hit. ftlein Dcta». 3tt i l etnto«nb.. $1 00 

<&o(ibcr gcprcfjter Seberbanb, mtt 3)oppeIfcblte§ett 1 75 

bo bo obne S(|lte§e» 1 50 

3n Smmitatien-'Warocco, mit ©olbfdwttt 2 50 

3tt 9Warecco, mtt ©olbfcbititt unb scrgelbet 4 00 

Jjofatfer'S, 9JZ. fiuuroia,, ^rebigten fiir afle ®onn*, gejt- unb 
gctertage, ntb|"t eintgcn SBuOtagS'^rcbigtcn tmb ©rab- 
retcn, mtt bent SBtlbntjfe be£ SSerfafjerS unb ertoettertett 
SWittdethingen au3 feittcm aufjeren tint tnneren Se&enS- 
gange, nebft eiuem 9lnfeange »cn adn ttacfegflafjcnen 5>re- 
bigtett. ©rofj SRo»al=£)cta». ©ebb it in I'etnroaub geb. 2 50 

©anj geprcgter geberbanb, mtt S)opt>flfcblu§en 3 50 

©oltber geprefHer Seberbanb, mit gefprcngieut ©cbnttt, 

obnc ©"cbliefjeit 3 00 

gWarocco, mtt @olbf4jnttt, sergolbet 5 00 

3n tuvfti'cbcnt SEWarocco, soli sergolbet 6 00 

Grtra turftfcjj Warocco, mit ©olbfdmttt, soli uergolbet.... 7 00 

©aag, 3. (L, ©dntU£>armonie. (SnttyaUmb etite ©efattg- 
lebrc, 30 Sborale uub 30 reUgt'6'fe ©efa'nge fiir bie 3u- 
genb. J)ret|itmmtg gefefjt unb jufammengeftettt son 3. (L 
$aaS t Mirer, ©efangletyro unb Drganijl an tcr beutfd)- 
et>angcliicb = Uttbcrii'dien St. fD?tc|jaeli3= u. 3ten3gemembe 

in ^bitabolpbia. ©ebon unb jVlib gebunben 40 (?t$. 

t)tcfe ©ammlung son febbtten, einfacbcn, erbcbcnben Shoralen unb 

Wclobten »irb fiir fecbulen unb gamilten cine t»iUfommene Srfcbet* 

nung fctn unb bie Siebe ju religibfen ©effingen beferbcrtt. 

fcaDennantt'S, $r. %of)„ c&rifllid(je 9)?orgen« unb Slbcnb- 
gcbete auf aiie Stage in ber SBodje. eammt ftyonen 
Sete^t-, Sontmuiit'on- unb anbeut ©ebcten, wit aud) 
Siorgen-, Stbcnb- unb anbere neue Sieber. ^d;bn gcprejj- 

ter SNuSltnbanb, mtt ©otbtite! 25 (£tt. 

©d)bn geprejjter Wugltnbanb, mit ©oibrttel u. ®olbfdm.30 StS. 
Tiffed Sa'nbdjen embalt cute jablreidie ©ammlung etnfac&er unb 

febbner iitcber unb ©ebete, bie eiuer gebetburftigen ©eele Diet 9iu£en 

unb £ro|"t geroa'bren fbnnctt. 

Dr. John Habermann's Morning and Evening Prayers, 
published both in German and English, the two lang- 
uages on opposite pages, nearly 400 pp., neatly bound 

in cloth 50 ets. 

Gilt edged 60 cts. 

The same edition in English only, neatly bound in cloth 25 ets. 
Neatly bound, gilt edged 30 eta* 

$ fritter' £ biblifdn' £>ifroricn ani bem SHten unb^eucn Jcfta- 
mente fiir bie Sugcnb unt Sctt^fc^ulen, nacb 3lnforberung 
Muferer 3611,' auf$ 9icue bearbritet »on (£. 21. Abmer. 



3. St 9) It r'S SerUg. 5 

Sftit letd)t faglt'c&en gragen unter bent £crt, etnet Furjen 
Sefdjicfite ber cbriftlidjen Religion, 51 fdjb'nen SBilbira unb 
et'nem Hartd&en son ^alajiina. SOW fcbb'nem beutlicfyem 
Struct unb ganj geprefjtem Seberbanb, mitDoppclfcbJielJett $1 50 

©anj geprc&tcm I'cterbanb, otme ^c&ltcpetx 1 25 

33tUige ©cl)ul=3Juggabe, gcbunben 60 

3^tefe £ijhmen nmrben cor mebr als3 fjunbert 3ab_ren son bem from* 
men |)ubner gejajrieben, unb ftnb fetrbem fiir Saujenbe son iltnbem 
unb Srroacbjcnen cine erbaultcbe lecture gewefen. itcin rcligiofeg 23uci> 
i)at mcbr Sfutsen unb Sergniigen geroabrt aid biefe in cincm emfacjj 
Finblidien ©tyl gcfctyricbenut |>ifiorien, unb in ber neuercn unb gefdlli* 
gen gortn, roorin ber gcgentvarttge SBerfajfer bicfclben eingcfleibet Ijat, 
roerben fte aucfj ben 2e[ern unferer £tit eine roillfommene Quelle be» 
Srtyolung unb (Srbauung bteten. 

Huebner's Biblical Stories, from the Old and New- 
Testament, for young people and public schools. Re- 
modeled and improved by C. A. Koerner, with 51 
Illustrations and a Map of Palestine. Translated 
from the German by J. C. Oehlschlaeger. Small 

octavo, bound in leather, with double clasps, $1 50 

Bound in leather, without clasps, 1 25 

Cheap School Edition, bound, 60 

■These stories were written more than a hundred years ago by 
the pious and venerable Huebner, the Rector of St. John's Col- 
lege, Hamburg. They have been one of the most popular family 
and school books in Germany, and to this day are read by thou- 
sands with undiminished favor. The publisher is confident that 
they will meet with equal success in our own country, and will 
prove an instructive and useful source of the biblical informa- 
tion to our own children and young people of a more matured 
age. 

[ngraham. Dad ?cben 3efu. £>er gurft aud £>asib'g £aufe, 
ober: Qxei %\\}xe in ber beiligen ©tabt. Sine ©^amm- 
lung Son Sriefen, tseldje 2Ibina, cine 3iibtn aud 5lleran» 
brten, roatjrenb tfjred Slufentljalted in Serufalem gur %tit 
bed Aerobes an ibjen 23ater, einem reicben 3uben in @g»p= 
ten, fcfjrieb, unb in benen fie aid Slugenjeuge alle Segeben- 
beiten unb tounbertaren 35orfatle and bem'Seben 3efu con 
Sfajaretl), con feiner Saufe tm 3orban big ju fciner $reu» 
Jtgung auf ©cigala beriebjet. e>d;b'n in 59cudlin gebunb. $1 50 
©d)oner foliber Sebcrbanb 2 00 

eanfcenfierger, @. $. SfyoraWBud) fiir btc Drgel, mit 3rot- 
fcljenfpielen ocrfctjen unb fiir ben sierfiimmigen ©efang 
eingericbtet. (Sntbaltenb : Sftelobten ju fammtlidjen 25erd« 
ntaa&en bed beutfdjen ©efangbudbed fiir bie csangelifd)- 
lutberifdje Circle tn ben 33ereimgten ©taaten, fofoie ju 
benen beg beutfeben ©efangbucbed fiir bie reformirte $ir- 
$e ; son $bjl. ©c&aff, Dr. unb gjrof. ber Sfjeologie. 33e» 
arbeitet son ©. & Sanbenberger, Drganijt an ber ©t. 
VautiHxtyt. spretd, gut aebunben $1 50 



6 3. flofclet'S SerUg. 

£)iefeS Sboralbud) in quer Qttartformat entyalt 177 ber belttbtcajh 
S^orate alterer unb neiterer gilt, unb umfajjt iammtlidie SBcrgmajjen 
bcr beibert (iiefangbiicljer fiir Die lutt)eri|d;c unD reformirte Jlirc^e in 
iftorbamerifa. 

fian&enficrger, (L $. 5tirc^»crt=C£f)E5rc. (Sine ©ammlnng *on 
fyunbeit bcr belicbteften unb beften ©eiangftiicfc fur fird>» 
lidje ®efang*25emne, »on ®. ft. &inbenberger, SBerfajfet 
be3 bcfannten 3Bcrfeg:_„®r)orat&U($ fiir bie Oracl," «. :c 
23ci bcr 2luv»al)l bcr sctiicfe rourben tjauprfactojtd) bie 33e<= 
biirfniffe bc3 iiircfcenjabreS bcriicfjidnigt, uub baburd) er- 
mbglidjt, mit t>cr gcgcbcneit 3^')' fo »«1 3" bicten, alt cin 
Singdjor in eiiiem tfircbcnjabr braitdjr. 3 U fltcicber 3cir 
rourbe bet bcr £erau$gabe ber Sammfang SJucfjicbt auf 
roentger geubte Singapore genommen, rocjjbalb leicbtere 
mit I'i^nKrercn ©tiicfen abroed^feln. s 33reie<, qutu. febb'ngeb. $2 00 
$>er£)ut}enb 18 00 

fitturgtc itnb 9Tgcnt)c : §erau3gegeben oon ber ^Pcnnfatoani- 
feben (js^nocc ber ettangelifdMut&erifc&en $ird;e. 

3n @e|"angbucJh3orm.at, geprcjjur I'cbcrbanb 1 25 

„ „ „ tfebcrbatib mit ©olbfanitt 1 50 

„ „ „ gartj fciit d'ebj 9)?ar. gebunben, 

mit ©olbfcbnttt 3 50 

Cutler'?, $r. SJlarttn, J>au$pofitlIe, ober: ^rebigten iiber bie 
©sangelicn auf bie ^onit- unb »ornebm|'tcn ftcfttage be3 
ganjen 3at)re^. ffioyai Dctavformat, in ganj 2eber geb. 2 50 

Cutfjer'S ffvtncr ®atcdji§mit§, erflart in ftragen unb 9Jnt- 
roorten, jum Gjebraucb, in birdie, «d)ule unb f)au£. 23e- 
arbeitct unb (jerauSgegeben tin 9camcn ber Cbangc!ifd)=?u- 
ti)crt|cben (Synobe von s ])enni\)loanien unb ben beuacb>uten 
©tauten. JBon Dr. gj$, 3. g» a nn unb ©. ft. Jflrotel. 

Ginjelnc Sremplare 25 

3m Du^cnb 2 50 

Cutler, ber flcine 5tatcd&igtnug uebfr tterfdjiebenen belefyrenbctt 
unb erbauenben 3uin^it, roie aucb bcigefiigter unoerdn- 
bertcr s 4ug3burger Soiifeffion. ®eb„ einjclne Gremplare 25 
Seirn Dupenb 2 50 

DM, $r. Sonrnb. ^ofauncn bcr Sroigfeit, ober : ^rebigten 
»om Job, 2iufcrfrebung ber Xobten, jiingjrcn ©crtcbr, Un« 
tergang ber SBelt, pollt unb (Swfgfeit 686 ©eitcn, 
Ctuartformat, ganj in £eber gebunben 3 00 

WcucS Xtflamcnt unfereg £errn unb $cilanbe3, mit 30 S9il- 

bern, gro^em Drucf, in ganj Seber gebunben 1 00 

3n 9JJu^itn gebunben 75 

$er Sanger am ©ralie. (Sine SluSroabI Stcber jum ©e- 
braucb, bci Ccid^enbcgangnijycn, wit aucb Uroftlicber fiir 
(olebe, bie urn ©cliebte trauern. 18mo. 240 ©eitcn £ert. 
€^ner OTusstinbanb mit ©olttitel 50 



3. flo$Ier'« gjerUg. 7 

©tefe Sieber ftnb jtoccfmogtg getofitylt unb in guten, roorjltautenben 
JReimen abg'fapt. ©pracbe unb SSerSbau Inffcn nid)ti3 ju ttjiinfc^en 
tibrig. 3eoer fann bariu ctn ©coicbj fiuecn, baS [id; auf ben sorlio 
genben gait bejie&t. 

©djaff, 3r. g3t)iltj)|). ©efd;{d)te bcr alien flirdje. Sou S&rf- 
ftt ©cburt btgjum Snbe bed fec^ften 3at>rlnmbcrt$. Son 
>pt)ilipp ©tyajf, Doctor uub ^rofefjor bcr Ideologic. 1264 
i&eiten, fdjbn in l;alb SJiarocco gebunbcn $7 50 

— §eibelberger J?atcdn'gntu3, ofjite t)iftorifd;en Slntjang. %hti$, 
gebunbcn, 20 (£r&, bcim Duj3cnb 2 00 

Der 9tome be3 fyodjgecbjten SerfaffcrS ift roof;! bie be|le @mpfer;= 
lung fur biefe erfte frittfdje SluSgabe bie[c3 itletnobg ber reformirten 
Sirdje. 

— 3ubet=2Iu3gabe bes £ct'bclbergcr 5!atcdn'3mu3. Der §ei» 
bclbergcr jl'atedjtemuS. Stacp bcr 3tuegabc von 1563 re- 
»ibirt"uub mit fritifcfycn $lnmerfungeu, foroie einer ©e« 
fcbidUe uno Sl;arafteriftif be3 Jlatcdjismug scrfebctu Sin 
SBcit'rag jur bre;f)unbertjal)rigen 3ubelfeter imSat)rel863. 

sprete, gebunbcn 3() Sente, bctm Dutjcnb $3 00 

in iicinroanb 40 „ „ „ 4 00 

mit ©olb[d;nitt, in £cber geb., 75 „ „ „ 7 00 

— Sfyriftlidjer $atcd)tSmu3. ©in Settfabcn sum Religions- 
untcrricbt in <5d;ule unb £au3. 3n 52 gecrionen. JBon 
tyfy, <©d;aff, Dr. uub <JProf. ber Slljeologie. Wienie 2!u&* 
gabe, rocla)e blo3 gragen unb Stntroortcn cnifjalr. Sinjel* 
ne$ ©remplar, gebunben, 20 Scnte, betm Duttenb 2 00 

— ©rofje_2lu3gabe, mit ©djriftbcroeifen unb (Srflarungen, 
(200 ©eiten). (SinjclncS ©rcmpiar, gut gebunbcn, 50 
Sente, betm Du^enb 4 00 

GsinjelneS Srcmplar, tjalb geb., 35 Sent3, betm Duipenb... 3 00 

— ©efangbucb, fiir bie ©onntagSfdmlen ber e»angclifd>=lutl)c» 
rifdjen unb beutfdvreformirten Slirdjen in bender, ©taateit, 
©c&b'n in SDiuSliit gebunben 25 

fpjsiitlj, 51., $afior. Die (Scangclien bes5 $trd;enjafjr3, fiir 
©onntaggfdjulen unb gamilicn burdj gragen unb burner- 
fungen fc^riftgemap crlautert, ©ebuubeu 25 

Bpatf), 21., ^nflor. 23rofamen Don bee £erm £ifd)e. Scd)3 

sprcbigtm fiir tiit Uebe 3ugenb. ©cbunben 25 

©i^itiolfcn'S, 33., f)tmmlifd)c3 33ergniigen in ©ott, obcr »oH» 
ftanbtgeS ©ebetbucb. fur alte 3 e i te "/ S um ©cbrauct;e fiir 
alle <2>;anbe unb bci alien Slngclcgcnbeitcn. 9?cbft ber 
£cibenggc|d)ic^tc uufcreg |)errn unb §eilanbeS3ffu St)riftt, 
unb ?Qforgen* unb 2lbcno=5(nbad)tcn in SJerfen, foroie bef» 
fen 5)(orgen- uub "itbenb-Siebern. Dicie ^ammlung ent- 
lialt erbaulic^e ©ebctc unb ©efange fiir ©efunbe unb 
^Iranfe, 5Betriibte uub ©tcrbenbe, nebft ©ebeten unb ©«» 



6 3. St 9$ltt't Eerlag. 

fctngen fitr ftrauen tn jctcr Sage be3 Sebens?. 3tt Sefn- 

toanb gcbunben $'2 00 

©c&on geprefter Seberbanb, mtt ©cbliejjcn 2 75 

C'ljnc ScbU'efjm 2 50 

3mmttation-9J?arocco, mit GJolbKbnitt 4 00 

21 edit 2N arocco, veil »ergo bet, nut ©olbfcfrnt't 5 ( 

Grtra turf .fd) 'Uiarecco/fcoll sergolbet, mtt ©oltfchm'tt.... 6 00 
"CiefeS ©erf tft alien Deuen ju emtfehten, bte bet Srfiillung ttirer 
flnbacbtn-fltcbrcn eiwti 3)?ujrergebete3 beciirfitg (inb. Win jtttbet bier 
trbebenee uut> feelenerauideube (ikbete, bte auf otte Sagett unb 23er- 
foaltttiffe be*? Sebertg pajfen. 93efonber$ ju empfeblen roegeit tie* 
au^gejeicbuetcn, [djbnen, groben £)vude3. 

Storf'S, So^an» grtciirid), tagltdjeg $anbbndj tn* gttten 
unb bbcit SEagen, entfyaltenb: Slufmunterttngen, ©cbete 
nnb ©ejange fitr ©efunbe, fur Setritbte, fitr Hraufc uud 
fitr ©tertenbe. 9icb|"t vmbreren &ejt=9lnbacbten unb sie- 
lett febonen 93ug« une 23eid)t=, Semmuuion- unb 2Brtter« 
©cbeten, SWorgen- unb 2lbene=2lnbad)tett auf alle Jage 
tn ber SBodbe, rote audi SriegS-, !Xt)euerung3=, $)ci> unb 
8rieben$*@ebeten, mtt etnem Slnbange »on Worgen- 
itnD Slbenb-Oebeten, Sluffnunterungen unb ©efartgen fitr 
©diroamicre unb ©ebarenbt auf allerlei 3 u f^^« ©o|)l- 
fcilr SHuSgabe tn grobein Drucf. Dctasformat. @cbiiri tn 

jeinroatte gebunbat $1 00 

©aiu in iit'Der gebuitecn, mtt Xop 'elfrfjite^cn 1 75 

iDajfelbe, ganj tfebcrbanb, obne ©djltefjen 1 50 

3m mtiarion» -Sitter ecco, mit ©olbfdjnitt 2 50 

Slccljt A'i arocco, mit ©olbi'cbuitt, coll sergolbet, fan 4 50 

®egen»artta,e Sluflage btefe$ in gait* iSuropa unb aud) tn 2Imettfa 
bcriibinteu £>a»ebudK3 jeidntrt fid) baeurdj au3, ba§ fie con einem 
©laubenefreuttbe Starf'S genau burdjgeieben unb »ott alien finn- 
eittfteUcnbcn irudfchlcni unb utigebraudjlidicn Stebcnssarten forgfa'lttg 
gereimgt rocrben iff. 

Stark's, John Frederick, Daily TTand Pook for days of re- 
joicing and sorrow. Containing Exhortations, Prayers, 
and Hymns, for use in Health, in Sickness, in Trouble, 
in the Dyiug Hour ; with various Festival Exercises 
and many beautiful Penances, Scripts, Collects Prayer 
for Good Weather, Morning and Evening Prayer, 
Prayers in Time of War, of Death, of Pestilence, and of 
Peace. With an Appendix of Morning and Evening 
Prayers, Exhortations, and Hyms for Times of Preg- 
nancy and Labor. Bound in nui-lin $100 

Solid bound in leather, with double clasps 1 75 

do. do. without clasps 1 50 

Immitation Morocco, gilt edges 2 50 

Turkey Morocco, gilt edges, extra 4 50 

Thi-^ celebrated work has had numerons editions in the original Ger- 
man language, and has bee. me an indispensib e part of the family library, 
wherever the German language is spoken. The publisher Matters him- 
seif that the fair legible type adopted for this bonk, as well as the low 
price at which it is ottered, will show that lie has spared no pains to dis- 
seminate this work of the learned, pious, and lowely-minded Stark 
ftmong all classes of the people?. 



3. «o frier's Serlag. 9 

fc ogelfiod), 3.. ^aftor. Qa$ Scben Dr. martin 8ul jer's fur 

'Sonntagfd)ulen unb ganulteit, in 9Jtu3lin gcbunbcn 25 

2Bttf(fjcr§, %of}. £>cittr. SBill)., SRcrgcn-- unb Stbenbopfcr, 
ncbfi anbcren ©cfa'ngcn unb einem 2Inr)angj rait cinem 
Hitelfitpfer. ©enau nacl) ber DriginatauSgabe, 18mo., 328 
©e ; ten. (gcbb'n in SJiuSlin geb., mit »crgolbetem Stiiden 60 

©djb'n tit Scbcr gebnnben 75 

Smmitation 9}Jarocco, rait ©olbfcfrnitt $1 25 

bo. bo. soil »frgolbet, mit ©olbfd)mtt 1 50 

2IecbJ 2J?arocco, fein acraolbet, mit ©olbfdmttt 2 50 

Diefc ^ammlung son fd)bnen, anmutbiaen unb berjevbebenben 8ie* 

bern ift fo wobl unb allgemcin bcfannt, ba£ es3 faum nb'tbtg fdieint, bie 

Slufmeiffamfcit etneS dmftlicbenJPublifumS auf biefelbcn ^injutenfen. 

Diefe i!ieber finb in einer eblen ^pradje abgefagt, unb fb'nnen gelefen 

unb wieber gelefen werben, obne ba$ £>er3 obcr ©cift bcr fcjjb'nen £)icb« 

rung mitbe werben. 

Sfdjoffc'S ©tunlicn bcr 9lntmr!jt jur Sefb'rberung Wafyren Sbjifien- 
tbumS unb fyausticber ©ottee&erefrrung. Diefelben etfdm'nen in 
ijtcr grogen Drtaobanben, jebcr 33anb 610 bis 620 eetten ent» 
fraltenb, mit neuer todmft unb fdjbnem £)rucf. WRit bent por- 
trait beg SSerfaffcrS in (stabjjiid). 

llm bem langgebegten 5Bunfd)e ber ofelert greunbe be6 serfiorbenen, 
aflgcmein geadjtcten unb bcfannten SDerfaffcrsi, we!d)cr fid) in ber 
(©cfcweij fo»ot)i, al0 in ganj Suropa, burd) fcine SBcrfe eineu bleiben- 
ben 9tubm a\$ ©cfyriftfieller, SBitrger unb pfamilien»arer erroarb, ent- 
gegen ju foramen, fo erfdjeint eitte neue fd}bne Siu^gabe son 

Sfdjoffc'S (Stunben bcr 2Inbad)t 
in tn'er grofjen Dctaybanben. 

(Sin jeber 8efer fann burd) biefelben fetnen ©(auben fin ©ott unb 
3efu3 SbriftuS ftdrfen unb gb'ttlidjen Xroft in fold)en ©tunben be3 8e» 
ben$ bnrin ftnben, in benen unfer ©entiitb mit Ungliicf unb ticfent 
Summer fdjwcr belabcn ift, unb inSbefonbcre, Wenn unS bie getiebten 
Uitfrigen buret) ben Sob cntriffen werben. 

©ie finb ein toatjrer £au$fd)a{3 fur cine jebe djrtftltd)e gamilie. 

Uebcr jweibunbert Sluflagen finb son 3fcboffc'3 (atunben bcr 2lnbact)J 
in Deutfdblanb erfd)ienen, unb fein 23ud) in ber SBelt, auggenommen 
unfere 23ibe(, bat fo side Siufiagen gebabt. £)ic3 ift ber grbjjte unb 
riibtfgfte ^BeroeiS beg fo fd)a£baren 3ntjnltg. 

SBir erlauben un$ einige SBorte ctu$ $tyoW$ 33orrcbe bier folgctf 
ju taffen : 

w 3d; war in ben $alaften ber ©rogen, in ben gelbfagem bcr ^riega- 
beeie, in ben SBerfftd'tten frieblid)er 23urger, in ben ^iitten ber, 2tr- 
mu ii). Ueberatl fanb icb ©emitter, bcreit unb geneiat ju ^etlt'gen 
Untcrbaltungen 5 iiberatt ©e_bnfuct;t jur Sefferung bes? $crjenS, $in- 
ftreben einer befiimmerten ^eele jttr i'erfbbnunq mit fid) felbft, ^ur 
Si3ereinigung mit ©ott; liberal! bag etoige laute S3eburfitf§, nidjt biefer 
SBelt alliin, fonbern aud) ben Sagen einer fiinftigen SBelt ju leben, 
toclcbe unfeljlbar un$ erroartet nad; ben gro§en ^ermanblungen, bie wir 
in ber SEobegjhtnbe erleiben. 

2lber jene oebnfud)t ber 5)(en(d)ett war Iciber nur @ef)nfnd)t unb 
JBebitrfnig beg Slugenblicfs. 65 fam ein jweiter 2Iugcnblicf, unb bie 
betfi'aen Sntfdjluffe waren im ©tbrdnge anberer Umftdnbe unb 3tx- 



10 3. ««Mm'« Sttlitj. 

flrcuititgen uerloren u«b pernivbteL (Sin anbercg $:rj fcpien oft bet 
?Wcnfcb in fet'ner Sruft ju trflgen, roenn er tm Jempel jiicb »or bent 
Sillcrbeiligften beugte 5 etit antereei, roenn cr aug ben ^fortcn bet 
Rirtyt in ba$ ©eraufd) be» nfltaglicbcn SebenS binauStrat. 

2)enn nid)t-3 ftimmt unfcr IJerj fo febr 311 bleibenben frommen ©c- 
finnungen, 311 fdbb'nen unb cbrijilidien STrjaten, ate Hnterbaitttngcn mit 
©ott in ct'nrr Stunbe brr (Sinfamfeit, roo tie ©cele, lotfgcboben von 
otlcn Sorgen, alien 3erjrrcuungm tcss ScbenS, ibrem eroigcn i'ater ju- 
febrt unb ibm allein angeprt; nicbts ucrmcbrt fo febr baugiidjc ©lucf- 
ffliafrit, a!3 roenn bcr initer ober bie stutter tm ftrcife ber licben 
3brigen ficb mit ben erbabenften ©cgenftanben, ir.it bem £)ciltgrt)ume 
Jeber ©ecle, mit ©ott unb feincn (£d)opfungcn, mit ben SBabjbciten 
bcr Steligion 3ffu Sbriftj, mit bcr firoigfeit unb ben Srroartungcn beg 
fiir bie i^ttigfeit crfcbartcncn ©eifieg ur.tcrbaltcn. Sin ftillcr gricbe 
oerbrettet fid) nncb.folcbcn Untcrreoungcn itber bie ©emiitfycr bcr ga- 
milie, — cine Semite ber 9iiibjung oerftegelt eft ben 23unb ber $ier 
sereinten £>crjcn ♦ gbtt(u-b auf Srbcn 311 (janbeln, urn eroig ©ott roiir* 
big ju fcin. 2Dcr bicfe (©eligfeit fd>on empfnnben rjat, fiir/it bie 2Babr- 
f)ctt meineS 2Bortc$ 5 — unb roer fie nie empfanb, roarum ftrebt er, ber 
nacb atlcrki ©tucf bitrftel, ntdjt uacb bem fiinen, roa3 il)in fcin llebel 
bc3 ScbcnS rauben, fonbern mtr crbb'beu faun ? 

3ur SBeforberung foldier ^tunben ftillcr $lnba<$t unb {;auslid;c8 
©fiid>3 roill icb buret; bicfe flatter »crfud)eu bci;utragen. 

@ie follen cucb geroeifyt fein, Sunglinge unb SWabcfcen, bie if)r, mit 
frozen unb bangen ?lbnnngen in bie iDeit binauctrctenb, curem beffcrn 
ielbft nocb nicbt trculosS gcroorben fab. SWogen fie eud) ftitle SBiirbe 
bcroabrcn in ben greuben bc3 ©liicte, reiigib'fen 9)lut$) in bcr Stunbe 
iti Summers, 

®ie finb curb geroeifyt, ©atten, bie it)r ticrcint beS 2cben<3 33a(m fyin- 
abgebt, cure ©eelett gcmeini'diaftlicb 311 ©ott erbebet, unb cure Winter 
in cbrift!id)cr Sinfolt auferjtebj, eine ©abe ©ottcg, fie ©ott roieber 
jujufiibren. 

^ie finb bir gcroeib,t, ©vet'3, ber am Slbenb fcineS irbifeben 2eben$ 
ben 231icf 311m Worgenrotb eineS emigen ScbcnS entporfyebt iiber bie 
oerfebroinbenbe Srbcnwclt. $ e i n r i $ 3 1 1 $ 1 f e." 

5}a5 ganje 9Bcrf, »cllftanbt'g in 4 SBnnben, farm ju folgenben ^rei- 
fen in folgenben ©inbanbeu bC3ogen rocrben ; 

9co. 1. ©ebunben in 4 Sanbe, t)a!b Warocco, einfacb $8 00 

9?o. 2. ©eb. in 2 Sanbe, balb 9^arocco, einfacb- 6 50 

9co.3. bo. 4 bo. ()alb ertra turiifeb SWarocco 10 00 

Wo. 4. bo. 2 bo. bo. bo 8 00 

9co. 5. bo. 4 bo. »oH STOarocco (einfacb) mit ®o!bfd;n. 14 00 
Mo. 6. bo. 2 bo. bo. bo. 10 00 

9to. 7. bo. 4 bo. ©uber titrfifd) 5J?arocco, ertra ein- 

facl;, mit ©olbfdjnitt 16 00 

Wo. 8. bo. 2 bo. bo. bo. 12 00 

Wo. 9. bo. 4 bo. Super tiirfifeb SWarocco, cjtra, »oft 

bcrgoibct, mit ©oltfdjnitt 20 00 

Wo. 10. bo. 2 bo. ' bo. bo. 12 00 

®ubfcriptioncn rocrben angenommen auf bicfc^ SBcrf unb 

jrcar brodjirt in Umfd)lag, @ ^3anb 1 25 

©tbunben, balb SWarocco, © Sanb 2 00 

£iefc3 SBerf ift eiu wabrcr $a\i$\tya$ fiir iebe d;riftlid;e Oamilie. 



% £ o $ I e r'g $ e r I <*»fl. 17 

QflSolks- imt) ^irgend-i&chriffen:. 

§ottt, @rjal)lungen Hon SB. D. D. aSofljianbta. in 14 San- 
ben, tvooon 2 23dnbe ©djmteb=3afo&$ ©efdjtcuten, mtt 
ineicn Sthtfirationcn con ^rof. £. SJidter. 3eber Sanb 
son 300 M^ 340 ©eitcn ftarf, fcfyon gebunben. 

9?o. 1. 3n 9D?ugitn gebunben 75 

9?o. 2. 3e 2 23d'nce $ujammen, in 9J?u<5liu gebunben $1 25 

9io. 3. 3e 2 23anbe jujVimmen gebunben, bait' 9D?arccco 2 OC 

9Zo. 4. Dtefelben in Umfcfrtag gcbefter, einjetne 33dnbe 60 

Som&Iete (Srcmptare in i4 SBd'nben, fdjbn in 9JJugtin ge» 

bunben 10 00 

bo. bag ©anje in 7 23dnben, SHuSlm 8 75 

bo. bo. t)n\b 9»arocco, cinfad) 12 00 

bo. bo. ertra fein, tjalb Warocco- 14 00 

Die 14 33d'nbe brcdjirt 8 40 

3eber 33anb bilbet fiir fid) ein ©anjcg, unb fb'nnen einjelne 23d'nbe 
ober 2 23dnbe jufammen gi bunben fiir oben angegebenen $reig be$o= 
gen rocrben. 
Dag ganje SBerf enttidlt 93 (Srjdbjungen, unb jroar } 

(Srfier 58cmt>. 
Dag 5T?at'Iet)ert. Sine 33olfgge|'djid)te aug bem Slfyrrfjate. 
Dag ©ettegfydugdKn nnb feine 23erootmcr. (Sine 2JolfggefcbJd;te 

aug bem 3at)re 1C89. 
Die £eferteure. (Sine ^uttgritcfer DorfgcfcJn'djte, 
(Sine Strjeintfc&e ©dmiugglcrgefcfyicbje. 
Slug ber fedjmiebe. (Sine rtjeinifdje Dorfgefdjtcbje. 

Stoeiter SSanfc. 

Die 9?adjt oon 23ingen. 9?o»ette. 

Die 5fteergeufen. 9Josetle. 

<5onecf. £iftorifdj = romantifdje (Srjdfjtung aug bem 13. 3a$r- 

Ijunbert. 
Der gefpenfttgc ©toKen. (Sine £>ungrittfcr Dorfgefdjtdjte. 
Die 3roeite. (Sine £ifiorte. 

®ritter 35ant>. 
Slug bem Seben etneg 23ogeIgbergerg in $rieg unb grteben. 
Der 33ojar. (Sine (Srjdr/lung aug ber legren £>dlftc beg 16. 3al)r- 

fyunbertg. 
Dag Original. (Sin ©tucffetit. 
Dag SJiubJcben in ber 9ftorgenbad), (Sine 23egebent)ei{ aug bem 

3abre 1716. 
Der Slpofteltjof. (Sine ©efdjidjte aug ber 33orjeit 23ad}aracpg. 

SStertcr 35an&. 
5)?eine erjic 23raut. (Sine 3ugenberinnerung. 
Der greicrgmann. (Sine |)ungrucfcr Dorfgcfdjidjte. 
Dag ^feiferfydnnglein. (Sine ©e[d)id;te aug ben gtittn beg 23auerrt' 

friegeg. 
gragmenre aug bem Seben jroeter armen £eufel. 
Die (SIfer. (Sine ©efd)id)te au$ bem 9?af[aucc Sanb. 
Die (Sroberung 23ad)arad)g. £ij}orifd)*romanti|"c|e (Srjd&Iuna. aui 

bem 3ar,re 1632. 



18 3. #of>Ier'$ SerUfl. 

Siinftcr Snub. 

Da$ ©tnBnt Water unb ^ergolefe. (Sine ©efd;icf)te. 

gin ©titefkin son ber SJiofel. 

DeS Dompropfts SJRiinbel. Sine &ifror{fd)=n»n«ntif4ie Srjafylung 

auS ber OTttte beg 14. 3iibrbunbcrr3. 
Die 9lujjborfer. . Sine yfaljer ®cfdn'cbte a\ii bem 3abre 1524. 

©edjftcr 33anb. 
£>ugo »<m ©cefh Sine l)iirori|d)=romantifc&e Srja^Iung. 
©o gtrtg mir's. Sine ®efd)t<$te &ur Retire unb iturjwcii. 
5JoccabontaS. Sine n>abre ©cfdjicbte autf ben 3ctten ber erflen eng- 

liftmen ^ieberlajjuncjen in s ftorbamerifa. 
Der £agejrolj. Sine Doppelbiftorie. 
3unbcrbudj3. Sin 23ilb CMS bem rbcinifdben 2?olfc?Iebcn. 
£>eiratb3gefcbicbtcn.. Srjablungen iro-Slbenbfreife meinesS Dtytimi. 

<Bicbenter 33anb. 

Der ^aufmann con £»on. Sine bi|lort7d;=rornantifd)e Srjd'fylung. 

Sine £i|"rorie obne Xitel. 

Der pbcftognomiidjc 23ocf. Sin fragment au3 Wl. ?D?uFr3 Sluto- 

biograpbie. 
Die 3ufitnftige. Sine (55efd)id)te. 
Die better Wcbcrroefelg. £i[tjrifd)«romantifc|>e Srjd'bluiifX au3 

tern Sabre 1629. 
Die ^renjfabrer. Sine Salting au3 bem 11. 3a^rl)unbert. 

2lct)tcr 33anb. 
23ictorin'S ScbicJfale. Sine Srjablung au$ ben %tittn beg breifjig- 

jd'brigen ilriegcg. 
£uaefar. Sine Srjd'tjiung au3 ber crfte #d'lfte beg 16. 3<ibrbunbert3. 
JBegcbcnbcitcn eine$ £anbfcbaft<3maler$ in 3taltcn. 33on ibm felbjt 

erjablt. 
Die ©dnilb. 

Die Sicbe con 23incenne£. 9locelette. 
23enebig'g <Patrijicr. Sine Srjabiung au$ bem 7. 3<i§rjef)enb iti 

15. 3abrbunbert3. 
Die Sbriftfreube. Sin 33ilb. 

SJJcunter 33anb. 

Die ©efd)i<$te con ben *roei OTiiderSfinbern. 

Der Waun nuf bem TOittclt&ortburme. Srinneriingen a\x$ bem 

&ben cincsS giinfjigerS. 
Die ^orantja'g. Sine biitorifdKomantifcfje Srjd'fylung au$ bem 

3abre 1640, In jroei Slbtbcilungcn. 
Slmmi. Sine ©efcbidjte aug bem £>un3riicfer $od;Ianbe. 

Scftntcr 23anb. 
Gui de Saint-Flour. Sine 9?ouc(le. 
Der <5cba£ im Sfnirme ber 33b'gte con $unoIb(tein. Sine Sl?oIf^- 

fage aus5 bem 9?abctbale. 
Der gelcmarfd)all iBlitcber unb ber ^farrer $retfd)mar, 
Quintin. Sine Srjablung. 

(Sifter SBant. 
Dreie unb Sine. Sine ©efebtcbte. 
Die erjte SBobltbat. 



3. flo$I«*'* SSerUfl. 13 

SBigfjt nnb 5Rarie galante. Sine gefci>icfiilic$c Srjatjlung. 
3m SBatbe. Srtnnerungcn aug bem Seben eineg 8iorft»S(e»ett. 
SBadjtanj ju £angenfelbolb. Sine Doppelgef$id;ie aug bem 3<*§n 

1756. 
SBag mir einmat ber STobtengraber erja^Ue, 
Skrfdjicbene SBege. Sin ©tiicficin aug ber guten alten Qtit. 

8n>olfter 33anb. 
Der 23aigncur »on Dftenbe. Sine ©efdiicjjte. 
Der ©cfjcl beg D&mS 3ofep&. Sine Sftainjer ©rabrgefd)id)te au$ 

ber ©clocnen \iuft. 
Dcg Duanen Sinb. (Sine r^etntfe^e ^d)muggtergefc|>ic|>te. 
Der Setter tm Sonftfbrium. Sine ©efd)id)te. 
23eim 9?ufjl:crnen. Sine ©cfdncbje aug bem rtjetntfe^en SSotfgleben. 
Dag Sadjaradjer 2flc§jd)tif son Slnno 1720. Sine ©efebjebte. 

®rci3ebntcr Sanfc. 
Deg alten ©djmiebj'af'ob'g ©cfdjidjtcn. 3ft it 30 neuen 3Huftratto- 
«en »on ^rof. £. Siic^ter. Somplet in 2 Sanben. 

<£ r ft e r £ fc e i I, 

1. Sftartfya, bie Slugmanberin. 

2. Der ©tricf. Sine ©efdjidjtc, bie ber ©djmiebjafoo in bet 

©pinnftube erjafylt. 

3. Die 9?ad;bari3tb'ct)ter. Sine ©efdn'dite. 

4. SBie'g in ben SBalb fdmllt, fo fc^alU'S tyeraug. Sine ©efcbjdjte. 

5. Die ©efdjidjtc son ben jroei $eife!ftec|>em. 

6. Die fccljafgraber. Sine ©efcbjdjte. 

7. ©o roar'g redjt ! 

8. @o ttjat erne cble beutfdje giirfh'n. 

9. SBie einmnt Siner ein Dampffcbiff befefyen Jjat, 

10. ©cfymiebjafob erjai;lt uon feincn gafjrtcn. 

11. 33on Sincm, bem man's aud) nidjt bei frer SBiege gefungen tyat, 

roaS aug it)in gcroorben ift. 

12. Der ©djmiebjafob tjatt einmat einen ©piegel s>or. 

13. Sin Diencrfpiegel. 

SSia-jeljnter 33anfc. —Shelter Zf)tlt. 

1. Die ©efdudjte beg armen @cbecrenfd)Ieifcrg»3ungen. 

2. $rtnj SHeSdjen. Sine ©efdjicbte fiir 3ftab4>en, bie fyoty fnnau3 



3. Dag £einjelmannd)en. Sine @efd}t'djte. 

4. SSon Sinem, ber erft ein trcuer Diener war, unb bann ein bra* 

i>er £)err nmrbe. 

5. Unserfyojft fommt oft Sine ©efdjicbte. 

6. SBag einer fcrtig bringen famt, roenn er raid. 

7. Sine ®e|du'd;te, wfe fie leibcr eft paffirt. 
3. Der ©iebente. Sine ©efctyiebje. 

9. Der SSBeli &mf. 

10. 3 W « l? arte ©teine mafjlen fetten reine. Sine ©e|d)icf)te. 

11. SBie eine grau ttjrcn Sftann einmal furirt |)at. 

12. £reue £ano gel)t burd)'g ganje Sanb. 

13. Der fam mit tauter £offnung tjerunter. Sine ©efd;id;te. 

14. Dag 3ftabd)en »«n ©agbad). 

15. Sg ijtnicbtg fo [ein gefponncn, eg fommt bocj) an bag Sicpt bei 

©onnen. Sine ©efcfcidjte. 



20 3. S»JIer'« 25 e r I a g. 

233. D. to o n § o r rt ift cut toaftrcr, adjter, burcb unb burcb. beutfd)ej 
23oIfd= unb Sngenbfcbrtftjtcllcr int cbclftat Smne bed 2Borte$. 

SBoburd) fcff'elt er \o nnidjtig fcine gefer ? ffite fommt eg, bafj 3Jlt 
unb 3«ng fo toertrauenStootl an u)m fcangen, bafi fctn^ame beltebt unb 
»crel;rt iff, fo writ bie bcutfdie 3"nge flingt ? (S3 ift nid)t nur, toeil rr 
fo meifier&nfl p eaablen toeijj, weii SBelcbrung unb junior, grnft unb 
©cbcrj, Sriicbte unb SBliitljen fid) fo anmittbig tit fciucn Scbrtften »er- 
flcditrn, fottbern toorjitglid) aud), tori! bci ibm 2llled fo Icbcitcig unb 
frifrb flu3 bcm toarmeu §erjen qui Ur, toeti bad tool)ltooUentjh ©cmiitb, 
fcine gerer befcelr, toeil cr bie ^Jcnjd)cn fo gerne gliicilid) fcl;rn ntoditr, 
uno cd tbn brangt, fie auf ben cinjtacn ricbjtgen 2Bcg ju leitr.i, bcr 
jum ©litcfe fitfyrt, — ben bcr fttdicben 2n'r»oUfommnung. 9Jitt etnem 
STert, fcine ^cjer licbcn ibn, toeil cr fie liebt, tottl fie cd auf jctcr Seite 
fiiblen, ba§ eitt treucr, uaterlicbcr, crfabrcuer greunb unb 3tatb,gcber 
in it tbnen fpricbt. 

3n sen (Srjabhmgen bed trcfflitbcn ©ptnnfhibcnfdjreibcrdjinbcn fid) 
alle S3orjiige beffelben tocrcinigt, itnb bie SBabl fritter ©toffe ift niefcj 
minber glucflid) ju itennen, aid bie 5trt unb ©rife, tote cr fie toortra'gt. 
23a!b futb cd gcroaltige 4 )iaturerid)ciiumgrn, bie cr und fcbiiccrt, balb 
grofjartige gcfd)id)tlicbe ©egeben^citen. S>:cr fu()rt cr und in tie glit- 
tjente $rad)t bcr IXropcnwcit, bort in ben boben Morten, nun att'3 
9)<ccr unb in'3 £odjgrbirge. (£r folgt ben Spurcn ted ©ctndjagrrd in 
bie Sllpen uno bed 33iberfanger8 an tie amrrifanifdi.it Seen, fotote bed 
SBallftfcbfvibrcrd in bie Ginbccn bed Dccand. £)octo tool)l Wtfjrab, trie 
anrcgrnb unb aiifmunternb bad gute Seifptel totr.'t, lafjt er cd in biefct 
flcin'cn, abet rcicbbaltigcn sBolfdbtbliotbcf an an^ic^enben gebensfcbil- 
berungen bcccutcnber banner nicbt fefjle;*.. 

Sinn SBitnbcr alfo, ba§ bie Scbriitcn 2B. O. son f)orn'd — auf fo 
mannidifadie SBeife bclctjrcitb, unterbaltcnb ttnb fbrbcrnb — iibcratl fo 
riibmlidb ancrfannt unb fo toett tocrbrcitrt fine ; benn tocr bad Sine 
lirft, toitnfdit aud) bad 2lnbere jit lefcn, unb brr ganiilirnpatcr, bcr ifyn 
eininal bat fennen Icrncn, wci§, bafj er fcinrtt ju^crlaffigcrcn 3tatbgc- 
bcr unb trcuerett Sreuito in ben itrcid bcr ^cinigen eiuful;rcn fann. 

goffmann'5, ftrnnj, Grja^lungcn. 3ebe circa fiber 100 

©ettcn ftatf. 3n febb'uent Umfcblag btodpirt ju brm 53retfe 

toon 15£t$. 

1. ©c^cr SBfllt^. 15. SuvdtHod unb trcu. 

2. 8£ebet eure gcinbe. 1G. tie (£trantp|d;er. 

3. ^riifungen. 17. SBtatoe \icute. 

4. Dbcint uub 9?effe. 18. £ie SBoifen. 

5. Eie 3J?ad)t bed ©rwiffend. 1% Jrcuc gewinnt. 

6. 'Ecr SInfieblcr am ©tranbe. 20. 2Btlbelm XtU. 

7. SRcne. 21. 3nt ©fbnee begraben. 

8. Eer Scbciit trugt, bie 5Baf)r- 22. Suite bid) toor bent erfien 

beit fiegt. gci)ltritt. 

9. 3cbcr ift feine* ©litcfed 23. goango. 

©cjjmieb. 24. Etc i^anfitctcn. 

10. 9tcue tocrfofjitt. 25. Dcr ^ogeltianttrr. 

11. 2BiU». 26. 23rf)arrlid)t'ritfitbvt jum 3ieU 

12. £cr ©olbfucber. 27. ©igenfinn unb iBufjc. 

13. 2Beibnad)tcn. S8. 9ittr fttct'nigfettcit. 

14. «Diuttertiebe. 29. 3n bcmfclben -&aufe. 



p. 



■^- : 



3* * 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: May 2005 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township PA 16066 
(724)779-?1H 



mr%Hj 


W\^jw^^ 


QjK-'Jk 


W.m 


**^^vSr^ 


*j^^"Jr' 


\mi 


Jf'-JioV 


^>^tA 


Jt/Bmr 


%T^^4^M 


S&NrV 4'^ 


yni 




mmi 


Jir ;* ^ 


1 W,J0 




m 


\^&^'"' 







I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




